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Review
. 2021 Oct 11;3(4):183-193.
doi: 10.1016/j.smhs.2021.09.004. eCollection 2021 Dec.

Glycemic variability: Importance, relationship with physical activity, and the influence of exercise

Joshua R Sparks  1   2 , Erin E Kishman  2 , Mark A Sarzynski  2 , J Mark Davis  2 , Peter W Grandjean  3 , J Larry Durstine  2 , Xuewen Wang  2
Affiliations
Review

Glycemic variability: Importance, relationship with physical activity, and the influence of exercise

Joshua R Sparks et al. Sports Med Health Sci. .

Abstract

Glycemic variability is a more sensitive assessment of glycemic health as opposed to traditional clinical measurements. It considers all blood glucose concentrations over a given period to better account for glucose oscillations that occur and provides clinicians with insight into how individuals regulate and/or maintain their glycemic health. The advancement of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) allows for the measurement of free-living glucose concentrations while providing a more reliable assessment of treatment of dysregulated glycemic. CGM coupled with management of lifestyle behavioral factors, such as reduced sedentary behavior and increased physical activity and regular exercise, potentially offers a previously untapped method for promoting improved glycemic health through greater regulation of glucose concentrations. The aim of this review is to critically evaluate the evidence regarding the measurement of glycemic variability and summarize the current understanding of the relationship between glycemic variability, sedentary behavior, physical activity, the influence of a single exercise session or repeated exercise sessions, and exercise training. This review considers information pertaining to the strengths and limitations for measuring glycemic variability and provides insight into future study designs aimed at evaluating the relationship between sedentary behavior and physical activity with, as well as the influence of exercise on, glycemic variability as a primary outcome.

Keywords: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM); Exercise; Glycemic control; Glycemic variability; Physical activity.

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Figures

Figure Panel 1
Figure Panel 1
Figure Panel 1. Mechanistic Considerations for Glycemic Variability. Figure Panel 1 includes 3 figures to discuss the mechanistic considerations for the 1A) Relationship between Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity with Glycemic Variability, 1B) Influence of an Acute Bout of Exercise on Glycemic Variability, and 1C) Influence of Chronic Exercise Training on Glycemic Variability.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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