Aerobic vs. Anaerobic Exercise + Their Effects on Blood Glucose

Did you know that different types of exercise can
affect your blood glucose levels differently?

There are two common types of exercise aerobic and anaerobic. 🏋️‍♀️

AEROBIC EXERCISE

Aerobic exercises are what you would think of as "cardio" or cardiovascular workouts, light to moderate intensity. These exercises cause your heart to pump faster, allowing your blood vessels to widen and deliver more oxygen to your body.

When performing aerobic exercises, it is essential to know that your blood glucose levels will typically lower during and for the next few hours after your workout, increasing the chances of a hypoglycemic (low blood glucose) event.

Keeping quick-acting hypoglycemic treatments with you is a good idea, such as glucose tablets, juice, or other quick-acting carbohydrates.

ANAEROBIC EXERCISE

Anaerobic exercise promotes strength, power, and speed. Generally, anaerobic exercise has a short duration and high-intensity activity.

Anaerobic activities include heavy weightlifting, sprints (running, cycling, swimming), or other strenuous exercises.

Anaerobic exercise (high-intensity training) may increase your blood glucose levels due to the release of adrenaline in the blood, which stimulates your liver to release glucose faster than usual.

Be mindful that it is not uncommon to have a hypoglycemic event hours after an anaerobic exercise when hormone levels have decreased.

Determining how your body responds to different exercises may take a while, but the overall outcomes are worth it. Exercising helps your body become less insulin resistant, helps you lose weight, increases energy, and becomes more healthy overall.

To learn more about exercising with Diabetes, check out our courses here for more information.

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The Diaspense website and blog are solely educational. The information included on the site is not a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. Seek the expert advice of your physician or another equally qualified healthcare provider before altering your diet, changing your exercise regimen, starting a new treatment, or changing your existing treatment.