The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 7 days of exercise training on insulin sensitivity and responsiveness in patients with type 2 diabetes. Fourteen obese patients with type 2 diabetes (64 +/- 2 years) underwent a two-stage hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp procedure and then exercised for 30 min cycling and 30 min treadmill walking daily at 70% of their maximal aerobic capacity for 7 days. The training program induced increases in both insulin sensitivity and responsiveness of glucose disposal at both stages in absence of weight loss. These improvements enhanced sensitivity and responsiveness of peripheral glucose uptake to insulin, presumably by muscle, as well as enhanced suppression of hepatic glucose production. Thus, one week of vigorous endurance exercise training induces significant improvement in insulin action in patients with type 2 diabetes.
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