Does Exercise Decrease Insulin Sensitivity? Physical activity has a beneficial effect on insulin sensitivity in normal as well as insulin resistant populations. A distinction should be made between the acute effects of exercise and genuine training effects.
How does exercise improve insulin sensitivity? Exercise/muscle contraction activates glucose transport. The increase in muscle glucose transport induced by exercise is independent of insulin. As the acute effect of exercise on glucose transport wears off, it is replaced by an increase in insulin sensitivity.
Does regular physical activity decrease insulin sensitivity? As excess adiposity in the waistline contributes to insulin resistance, regular exercise assists in reduction of body fat, thus increasing cellular insulin sensitivity.