Work

Aerobic exercise training improves blood glucose homeostasis in healthy older adults

Year: 2025

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: The present study assessed the effects of aerobic exercise training (AER) on blood glucose regulation in healthy older adults, and whether these effects depend on baseline glucose regulation. Thirty-four healthy older adults (71 ± 4 y) were randomized to perform 8 weeks of AER (n = 17) or no exercise (CON, n = 17). A five-point oral glucose tolerance test was performed at baseline and post-intervention to assess plasma glucose and insulin concentrations. Glucose regulation was assessed by Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), Hepatic Insulin Resistance Index (HIRI), Muscle Insulin Sensitivity Index (MISI), and Matsuda index. Two-factor repeated measures ANOVAs were performed on the full cohort and on a subgroup (CON: n = 10, AER: n = 9) with Matsuda index ≤5. Full Cohort Analyses: a significant interaction effect (P < 0.05) was observed only for HIRI (P = 0.025), which worsened in CON (+151 ± 232, P = 0.016) but not AER (-32 ± 221, P = 0.557). Subgroup Analyses: significant interaction effects were observed for hepatic glucose regulation (P ≤ 0.013), which worsened in CON (HOMA-IR: +0.5 ± 0.6, P = 0.085; HIRI: +249 ± 253, P = 0.006), but tended to improve in AER (HOMA-IR: -0.6 ± 1.2, P = 0.051; HIRI: -133 ± 241, P = 0.125). A significant interaction effect was observed for Matsuda index (P = 0.004), which increased in AER (from 3.2 ± 1.1 to 4.8 ± 2.1, P = 0.002), but remained unchanged in CON (from 3.8 ± 0.9 to 3.5 ± 1.4, P = 0.401). A trend toward an interaction effect was noted for MISI (AER: from 0.12 ± 0.07 to 0.19 ± 0.16; CON: from 0.18 ± 0.11 to 0.16 ± 0.06, P = 0.082). Aerobic exercise training improves blood glucose regulation in healthy older adults, with greater impact in those with a more compromised blood glucose regulation (based on Matsuda index ≤5).

Source: Experimental Gerontology

DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2025.112940