Training in the Fasted State, Glucose Metabolism and Energy Balance

In healthy individuals, the body responds to glucose (sugar) ingestion by reducing the amount released from the liver. At the same time, skeletal muscles increase the rate at which they remove the glucose from the bloodstream, via the actions of the hormone insulin. This ensures that blood glucose levels remain in a controlled range. However, in developed countries, diseases such as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes are becoming prevalent, due to dietary modifications and a reduction in physical activity. As one of the prominent barriers to regular physical activity is a lack of time, finding ways to maximize the health benefits of exercise is a priority for researchers. The investigators want to understand potential differences in the effects of six weeks of aerobic training, with the exercise performed either after breakfast or after a prolonged fast. Specifically, this research aims to investigate whether there is a difference in the change in processes implicated in glucose regulation and secondly, in subsequent eating and physical activity behaviors. By investigating these changes this work will explore how exercise and nutrition can be optimized to benefit health and weight loss.