Determining the Minimal Amount of Exercise to Improve Glycaemic Control

In 2015, there were 415 million adults worldwide with type II diabetes and by 2040, typeII diabetes will affect one in ten adults worldwide. Type II diabetes reduces quality of life and total lifespan, and two of the best countermeasures to type II diabetes are not drugs, but diet and exercise. Several studies have investigated the effects of exercise modality (aerobic, resistance, or concurrent) on glycaemic control and the mechanisms of these benefits. However, the minimal 'dose' of exercise required to increase insulin sensitivity and improve glycaemic control has never been established. Secondly, there is a progressive loss of muscle structure and function with age, which is known as sarcopenia. This study will also investigate whether the minimal amount of exercise is influenced by biological age and muscle mass by comparing physiological and biochemical responses in BMI-matched young and old volunteers. This study will therefore provide pilot data on the effect of age on exercise-mediated glycaemic control.