“Type 2 diabetes is characterized by reductions in β-cell function and insulin secretion on the background of elevated insulin resistance. Aerobic exercise has been shown to improve β-cell function, despite a subset of Type 2 diabetes patients displaying “exercise resistance”. Further investigations into the effectiveness of alternate forms of exercise on β-cell function in the Type 2 diabetes patient population are needed.”

“We examined the effect of a novel, 6-weeks CrossFit functional high-intensity training intervention on β-cell function in 12 sedentary adults with clinically diagnosed Type 2 diabetes (54 years old).”

“Supervised training was completed 3 days/week, comprising functional movements performed at a high intensity in a variety of 10- to 20-minute sessions.”

“The mean disposition index, a validated measure of β-cell function, was significantly increased after the intervention. Insulin processing inefficiency in the β-cell, expressed as the fasting proinsulin-to-insulin ratio, was also reduced. Increased β-cell function during the early-phase response to glucose correlated significantly with reductions in abdominal body fat and fasting plasma alkaline phosphatase.”

“Mean total body-fat percentage decreased significantly, whereas lean body mass was preserved. We conclude that functional high-intensity training is an effective exercise strategy for improving β-cell function in adults with Type 2 diabetes.”

S.Nieuwoudt, et al
Functional high-intensity training improves pancreatic β-cell function in adults with type 2 diabetes
American Journal Of Physiology: Endocrinology & Metabolism – Volume 313 #3 – September 2017 – page E314