Type and timing of exercise during lunch breaks for suppressing postprandial increases in blood glucose levels in workers

OBJECTIVES: Suppression of postprandial hyperglycemia may aid in preventing lifestyle‐related diseases in working people. The present study aimed to identify the types and timings of exercises that can be performed by working people during a 60‐minute lunch break that are effective in attenuating postprandial increases in blood glucose levels. METHODS: Healthy working people aged 20 years and older were subjected to aerobic (AER) or resistance (RES) exercise before (Pre) and after (Post) lunch, assuming a 60‐minute lunch break, with fixed 20‐minute lunch and rest periods. These exercise sessions of 4 different patterns were performed by each participant. Serial measurements of blood glucose levels were obtained every 15 minute using a Flash Glucose Monitoring System. RESULTS: Data were analyzed for 11 participants who completed the protocol. Our incremental area under the curve (IAUC) analysis indicated that the AER‐Post condition was associated with the most significant hypoglycemic effect, followed by the AER‐Pre condition. Although the RES‐Post showed no significant difference, a decrease in the IAUC comparison is apparent. However, the RES‐Pre condition exerted no acute effect on blood glucose levels. CONCLUSIONS: Workers may benefit from a 20‐minute aerobic exercise period, following a 20‐minute lunch and a 20‐minute rest period, as this may help prevent progression to diabetes. Furthermore, performing 20‐minute aerobic exercises prior to lunch may also attenuate postprandial increases in blood glucose levels. Therefore, if the lunch breaks are short, aerobic exercises are recommended before lunch.