Abstract
Objective: Physical activity is known to affect glucose metabolism and closely associated with the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases. We investigated the effects of physical activity in the early decades of life may have on insulin resistance among middle aged and older individuals.
Methods: The subjects were 6,883 residents of Okazaki City between the ages of 40 and 79 years who underwent physical examinations at the Okazaki City Medical Association Public Health Center from April 2007 through August 2011. They gave informed consent for participation in the study. Data on individual characteristics were collected via a questionnaire and from the health examination records. We performed multivariate linear regression analysis to adjust for age, body mass index, alcohol drinking, smoking habits, and present physical activity habits.
Results: After applying the exclusion criteria, data from a total of 2,378 men and women were analyzed. Subjects who have exercised regularly in the early decades of life are less likely to have insulin resistance later in life. Furthermore, there was a tendency that subjects with a large amount of physical activity in the past had lower insulin resistance.
Conclusion: Subjects who have exercised regularly in the early decades of life are less likely to have insulin resistance, and insulin resistance becomes lower as the amount of exercise increase.
