Brief Review of the Role of High-intensity Interval Training in the Battle Against Type II Diabetes

Despite the widely publicized and well-accepted benefits of regular exercise for improving metabolic health, adherence to the current exercise guidelines for the management of type 2 diabetes remains, to the disappointment of fitness professionals, surprising low. High-intensity interval training has sufficient data to allow trainers and clinicians to prescribe this low-volume, time saving exercise modality to improve glucose control over the 24-hour period after the exercise session. This is of practical importance for two reasons, (1) achieving marked improvements in 24-hr glucose regulation is a primary therapeutic goal to manage T2DM and (2) the benefits seen with such a small time investment may increase the likelihood of longer-term compliance to the exercise program leading to improved health outcomes