Effects of aerobic capacity and body fat accumulation on the insulin response after an oral glucose load

Abstract

The effects of aerobic capacity and body fat accumulation on the insulin response after an oral glucose load were investigated in 21 college students. The subjects were divided into three groups based on their insulin response after an oral glucose load: the first group showed a hyper and prolonged insulin response; HI (n = 6), the second group showed a lower insulin response; LI (n = 6), and the third group consisted of other subjects; MI (n = 9). The maximal oxygen consumption in the HI group (29.6 +/- 3.3 ml/kg/min) was significantly lower than that in the LI group (42.5 +/- 3.1 ml/kg/min, P < 0.05). Although no significant difference was observed in the body mass index between the HI (24.6 +/- 1.9) and LI groups (22.2 +/- 0.4, p > 0.05), the body fat and the waist-to-hip ratio were significantly higher in the HI group (25.3 +/- 3.1%, 0.87 +/- 0.03) than in the LI group (12.9 +/- 0.7%, 0.76 +/- 0.01, P < 0.05). All subjects in the LI group performed regular exercise, while none of the subjects in the HI group performed any regular exercise. These results suggest that an inactive life style, decreased aerobic capacity and increased body fat accumulation all appear to result in an increased insulin response after a glucose load.