Research indicates that afternoon or evening workouts may be superior to morning workouts for weight loss.
It was discovered that exercising between midday and midnight can reduce insulin resistance, which can lead to weight gain, by as much as a quarter.
According to experts, exercising at the optimal time could help people regulate their weight and minimize their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Insulin resistance occurs when muscle, fat, and liver cells struggle to respond to insulin and cannot efficiently absorb glucose from the blood, resulting in elevated blood sugar levels.
Previous research has connected exercise to improved insulin sensitivity, hence reducing the chance of getting diabetes. However, scientists wanted to determine whether the time of exercise had an impact.
In the Netherlands, researchers at Leiden University Medical Centre investigated approximately 7,000 adults aged 45 to 65.
The majority had a BMI of 27 or more, indicating they were overweight or obese, while the control group had a healthy BMI.
Participants got a physical examination during which blood samples were drawn to test fasting and post-meal blood glucose and insulin levels.
People were also asked about their lifestyles, and some were randomly selected to have MRI scans performed to quantify the amount of fat in their livers.
A random sample of 955 individuals was also given an accelerometer and heart rate monitor to wear for four consecutive days and nights to monitor their activity levels. In an analysis, 775 individuals with complete data were considered.
Results demonstrated that moderate to vigorous physical activity decreased liver fat content and insulin resistance.
Compared to a balanced distribution of activity throughout the day, exercising in the afternoon or evening was associated with a reduction in the insulin resistance of 18% and 25%, respectively.
According to a study published in the journal Diabetologia, there was no significant difference in insulin resistance between morning activity and activity spread evenly throughout the day.
The researchers drew the following conclusion: “These findings show that the timing of physical activity throughout the day influences the favorable effects of physical activity on inulin sensitivity.”
Further research is required to determine whether the timing of physical exercise is crucial for the development of type 2 diabetes.
