Washington: New research observes that people above the age of 40, who use aerobic exercise to prevent or control diabetes need to be regular and frequent, in order to derive maximum mileage and curb diabetes.

The study conducted by Mayo Clinic in Rochester opined that apart from exercising regularly, people in the age group of 40 plus, also need to be frequent in their aerobics session. The findings are published in the August issue of 'Diabetes', the Journal of the American Diabetes Association report.

"As people age, they typically experience a decline in insulin sensitivity, a key underlying factor that makes them more prone to becoming diabetic," K Sreekumaran Nair, a Mayo Clinic endocrinologist and the chief investigator of the study said.

Research showed that middle-aged and older people are not able to sustain the increased insulin sensitivity produced by aerobic exercise, while, younger people were found to maintain higher insulin sensitivity, even four days after their last workout.

With a decrease in insulin sensitivity, blood glucose levels increase. As it usually happens in the case of diabetes, high blood glucose levels can damage virtually every organ in the body. Enhanced insulin sensitivity helps regulate blood glucose, and stall or cut down its potentially harmful effects.

Researchers measured insulin sensitivity, abdominal fat and enzyme systems involved in cellular energy conversion at the beginning of the program, and again, three to four days after the last exercise session.

"The study found no close connections between increased insulin sensitivity in middle and older-aged people and reduced abdominal fat or increased energy conversion," says Dr Nair.

Nair is optimistic that the results will be helpful to pre-diabetic and diabetic patients and their health-care providers, while they chalk out more effective exercise regimens.

ANI