Effects of mild exercise on glucose effectiveness

Glucose effectiveness (SG), which is defined as the effect of glucose to enhance glucose disposal and to suppress endogenous glucose production, is a major determinant factor of glucose tolerance in addition to insulin secretion and insulin action. Few attempts have been made, however, to evaluate the effect of exercise on SG. Our group therefore evaluated the effects of various types of exercise on SG using the minimal model technique. Endurance-trained individuals were found to have a higher SG, and even a single bout of mild exercise corresponding to the lactate threshold was found to improve SG immediately post-exercise in a manner similar to that in a trained athlete. Our study also suggested that a single bout of exercise that results in either muscle damage or changes in the muscle permeability decreases SG. Further, we recently found that training at the lactate threshold induces an increase in SG as well as insulin sensitivity. Such exercise is therefore recommended for patients suffering from obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. Further, we discuss the possible mechanism accounting for the exercise-induced increase in SG.