Summary
The nature of the relation between physical fitness and glucose homeostasis was evaluated in two studies: (A) a cross-sectional study on 108 middle-aged non-diabetic men; (B) a five-month training program involving nine males with non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes. It was found that the level of physical fitness was positively related to glucose tolerance, and that this relation was largely independent of body weight and basal insulin secretion. Furthermore, the training program for the diabetics resulted in improved glucose tolerance without change in either body weight or glucose-induced insulin secretion. It is concluded that glucose balance is significantly influenced by the physical fitness level, which is likely to be an important element in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes as well as in the treatment of that disease.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Åstrand I.: Aerobic work capacity in men and women with special reference to age — Acta physiol. scand.169 (Suppl.), 49, 1960.
Björntorp P., De Jounce K., Sjöström L., Sullivan L.: The effect of physical training on insulin production in obesity — Metabolism19, 631, 1970.
Björntorp P., Fahlen M., Grimby G., Gustafson A., Holm J., Renström P., Schersten T.: Carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in middle-aged, physically well-trained men — Metabolism21, 1037, 1972.
Björntorp P., Holm G., Jacobsson B., Schiller-de Jounge K., Lundberg P.-A., Sjöström L., Smith U., Sullivan L.: Physical training in human hyperplastic obesity. IV. Effects on the hormonal status — Metabolism26, 319, 1977.
Carrol J. J., Smith N., Bukson A. L.: A colorimetric serum glucose determination using hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase — Biochem. Med.4, 171, 1970.
von Döbeln W.: Human standard and maximal metabolic rate in relation to fat-free body mass — Acta physiol. scand.126 (Suppl.), 1. 1956.
Dudl R. J., Ensinck J. W.: Insulin and glucagon relationship during aging in man — Metabolism26, 33, 1977.
Heding L. G.: A simplified insulin radioimmunoassay method. In:Donato I., Milhaud G., Sirchis I. (Eds): Labelled proteins in tracers studies. Euratom, Bruxelles, 1966; p. 345.
Heding L. G.: Radioimmunological determination of human C-peptide in serum — Diabetologia11, 541, 1975.
Johansen K., Munck O.: The relationship between maximal oxygen uptake and glucose tolerance/insulin response ratio in normal young men — Hormone metab. Res.11, 424, 1979.
Kalkhoff R., Ferrou C.: Metabolic differences between obese overweight and muscular overweight men — New Engl. J. Med.284, 1236, 1971.
Leblanc J., Nadeau A., Boulay M., Rousseau-Migneron S.: Effects of physical training and adiposity on glucose metabolism and125I-insulin binding — J. appl. Physiol.46, 235, 1979.
Leon A. S., Conrad J., Hunninghake D. B., Serfass R.: Effects of a vigorous walking program on body composition, and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism of obese young men — Amer. J. clin. Nutr.32, 1176, 1979.
Lindberg W., Natvig H., Rygh A., Svensen K.: Höyde-og vekts-undersökelser hos voksne men och kvinner — T. norske Laegeforen.76, 361, 1956.
Lindgärde F., Saltin B.: Daily physical activity, work capacity and glucose tolerance in lean and obese normoglycaemic middle-aged men — Diabetologia20, 134, 1981.
Lohmann D., Liebold F., Heilmann W., Senger H., Pohl A.: Diminished insulin response in highly trained athletes — Metabolism27, 521, 1978.
Montoye H. J., Block W. D., Metzner H., Keller J. B.: Habitual physical activity and glucose tolerance. Males age 16–64 in a total community — Diabetes26, 172, 1977.
Pedersen O., Beck-Nielsen H., Heding L.: Increased insulin receptors after exercise in patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus — New Engl. J. Med.302, 886, 1980.
Saltin B., Lindgärde F., Houston M., Hörlin R., Nygaard E., Gad P.: Physical training and glucose tolerance in middle-aged men with chemical diabetes — Diabetes28 (Suppl. 1), 30, 1979.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lindgärde, F., Malmquist, J. & Balke, B. Physical fitness, insulin secretion, and glucose tolerance in healthy males and mild type-2 diabetes. Acta diabet. lat 20, 33–40 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02629127
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02629127