Exercising can 'lower the risk of diabetes'

Published on Wednesday 28 January 2009 09:02

SHORT bursts of exercise can strongly reduce the chances of getting diabetes, scientists at a city university have found.

The research shows that even carrying out as little as seven minutes a week can make an impact when it comes to preventing the disease, which is affecting more and more people.

Performing brief, intensive muscle exercises, lasting only 30 seconds a time, dramatically improves metabolism, the scientists at Heriot-Watt University said.

The study looked at the cases of 25 inactive men over a two-week period in the city. Following the exercises, which included cycling, studying the test case's bodies showed that the insulin produced worked far more efficiently and excess glucose was removed from the blood stream.

Prof James Timmons, who led the study, said: "It is clear that cardiovascular disease and type-two diabetes are major health issues for western society.

"The risk of developing these diseases is substantially reduced through regular physical activity.

"The improvements in metabolism we measured are known to be critical for reducing your chance of getting diabetes and cardiovascular disease in the future."