Type 2 diabetes has been diagnosed in around 90–95 percent of the over 37 million Americans with diabetes. Diabetes can be managed with lifestyle treatments like a nutritious diet and a regular exercise routine.

Researchers from Brigham and Womens Hospital and the Joslin Diabetes Centre have revealed that physical activity at particular times of the day was linked to more significant improvements in blood glucose management.

The team examined physical activity data from the Look AHEAD studys first and fourth years, which comprised information from more than 2,400 participants. During the study, participants wore a waist-mounted accelerometry recording device to track their physical activity. The Brigham and Joslin team examined the data from year one and found that people who exercised moderately to vigorously in the afternoon experienced the highest drops in blood glucose levels. When the data from year 4 were compared, the afternoon groups blood glucose levels remained lower. The afternoon group also had the greatest likelihood of quitting their diabetes/glucose-lowering drugs.

The study results revealed that patients with type 2 diabetes who exercised in the afternoon showed the most significant gains after a year in the study. 

The team may conduct experimental tests of their findings to explore further the underlying mechanisms that could explain how the time of day activity may affect blood glucose management. Using this information, the team might offer the patient particular physical activity suggestions.

(Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230527/Look-AHEAD-study-Type-2-diabetes-patients-who-were-physically-active-in-the-afternoon-have-greater-reductions-in-blood-sugar.aspx)