Exercise and Glucose Regulation in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review of Mechanisms and Pathways

Abstract

Background: Hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance are key characteristics of type 2 diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disorder often leading to complications such as cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, and retinopathy. While insulin therapy and other glucose-lowering medications are widely used, some individuals exhibit poor responsiveness, necessitating alternative strategies to improve glycaemic control. Exercise has been shown to enhance glucose metabolism, yet the mechanisms behind its effectiveness in insulin-resistant individuals remain an area of interest. This systematic review explores how, in the absence of effective insulin therapy, exercise contributes to glucose regulation. The focus is on physiological, molecular, and cellular pathways that mediate these effects.