Strength Training Plus Walking Boosts Blood Sugar Control

Aerobic exercise such as brisk walking has been shown repeatedly to help with blood sugar control and decrease insulin resistance. A new study also shows the strength training is an important addition to your exercise regimen if you have type 2 diabetes. The study showed that aerobic exercise plus high-force eccentric resistance exercise improved glucose control, physical performance, and body fat composition The study was published in the November 2008 issue of Physical Therapy.

What is eccentric exercise? It is when you are elongating a muscle and resisting an opposite force, such as when you slowly lower the dumbbells when doing a biceps curl, or slowly lower the leg weights when you are using an exercise machine for your hamstrings or quads. This is why trainers emphasize that it isn't just the weight lifting that is important for building muscle, you also want to do a slow return while resisting the weight. Weight lowering may be even better for you than weight lifting!

• Lift Slow to Get Fit Fast
• Weight Training for New Trainers
• Why is Exercise Good for Diabetes?