Physiological processes induced by different types of physical activity that either oppose or enhance postprandial glucose tolerance
Herein, we describe overlooked/misunderstood physiological processes (beyond contraction-induced skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity that is already well appreciated) that either oppose or enhance glucose tolerance during distinct types of acute physical activity. This includes multiple mechanisms b...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Endocrinology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1601474/full |
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| author | Marc T. Hamilton Marc T. Hamilton Deborah G. Hamilton Theodore W. Zderic |
| author_facet | Marc T. Hamilton Marc T. Hamilton Deborah G. Hamilton Theodore W. Zderic |
| author_sort | Marc T. Hamilton |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Herein, we describe overlooked/misunderstood physiological processes (beyond contraction-induced skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity that is already well appreciated) that either oppose or enhance glucose tolerance during distinct types of acute physical activity. This includes multiple mechanisms both within and outside of muscle. We describe the processes and physiological principles to help explain why postprandial glucose tolerance is often not improved after acute bouts of exercise, or when interrupting prolonged sitting with either brief physical activity breaks or more prolonged standing. We also describe results from a specialized type of soleus muscle activity that is specifically well-geared to amplify and sustain oxidative muscle metabolism for long periods of time when sitting, with evidence that this has meaningful positive effects on systemic glucose and lipid regulation. Methods capable of elevating oxidative muscle metabolism could be advantageous to complement other lifestyle and pharmacological approaches whose mechanisms of action are limited to non-oxidative metabolic pathways. There is much potential need for inducing more oxidative muscle metabolism, because the entire musculature normally accounts for only about 15% of the oxidative metabolism of glucose when sitting inactive, despite being the body’s largest lean tissue mass. A clear understanding of the multiple integrative processes that either tend to attenuate or amplify blood glucose excursions in the postprandial period is significant, given the strong influence of glucose tolerance on healthy aging and prevention of multiple chronic diseases. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-83c08e30a53f4315a8fd05794c66fc9c |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 1664-2392 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Endocrinology |
| spelling | doaj-art-83c08e30a53f4315a8fd05794c66fc9c2025-07-04T09:11:31ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Endocrinology1664-23922025-07-011610.3389/fendo.2025.16014741601474Physiological processes induced by different types of physical activity that either oppose or enhance postprandial glucose toleranceMarc T. Hamilton0Marc T. Hamilton1Deborah G. Hamilton2Theodore W. Zderic3Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United StatesDepartment of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United StatesCollege of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United StatesDepartment of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United StatesHerein, we describe overlooked/misunderstood physiological processes (beyond contraction-induced skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity that is already well appreciated) that either oppose or enhance glucose tolerance during distinct types of acute physical activity. This includes multiple mechanisms both within and outside of muscle. We describe the processes and physiological principles to help explain why postprandial glucose tolerance is often not improved after acute bouts of exercise, or when interrupting prolonged sitting with either brief physical activity breaks or more prolonged standing. We also describe results from a specialized type of soleus muscle activity that is specifically well-geared to amplify and sustain oxidative muscle metabolism for long periods of time when sitting, with evidence that this has meaningful positive effects on systemic glucose and lipid regulation. Methods capable of elevating oxidative muscle metabolism could be advantageous to complement other lifestyle and pharmacological approaches whose mechanisms of action are limited to non-oxidative metabolic pathways. There is much potential need for inducing more oxidative muscle metabolism, because the entire musculature normally accounts for only about 15% of the oxidative metabolism of glucose when sitting inactive, despite being the body’s largest lean tissue mass. A clear understanding of the multiple integrative processes that either tend to attenuate or amplify blood glucose excursions in the postprandial period is significant, given the strong influence of glucose tolerance on healthy aging and prevention of multiple chronic diseases.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1601474/fulltype 2 diabetesimpaired glucose toleranceoral glucose tolerancephysical activityglycogensoleus |
| spellingShingle | Marc T. Hamilton Marc T. Hamilton Deborah G. Hamilton Theodore W. Zderic Physiological processes induced by different types of physical activity that either oppose or enhance postprandial glucose tolerance Frontiers in Endocrinology type 2 diabetes impaired glucose tolerance oral glucose tolerance physical activity glycogen soleus |
| title | Physiological processes induced by different types of physical activity that either oppose or enhance postprandial glucose tolerance |
| title_full | Physiological processes induced by different types of physical activity that either oppose or enhance postprandial glucose tolerance |
| title_fullStr | Physiological processes induced by different types of physical activity that either oppose or enhance postprandial glucose tolerance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Physiological processes induced by different types of physical activity that either oppose or enhance postprandial glucose tolerance |
| title_short | Physiological processes induced by different types of physical activity that either oppose or enhance postprandial glucose tolerance |
| title_sort | physiological processes induced by different types of physical activity that either oppose or enhance postprandial glucose tolerance |
| topic | type 2 diabetes impaired glucose tolerance oral glucose tolerance physical activity glycogen soleus |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1601474/full |
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