Lowering Blood Glucose Levels: The Effect of active static flexibility on plasma blood glucose

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment was to determine if static stretching could produce lower blood glucose levels in people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, those classified as pre-diabetic, and those at risk for diabetes. Volunteers for this study were classified as part of the criteria stated above. Participants static stretched or sat. During both trials, participants drank fruit juice with a high sugar content and had their blood glucose tested before, during, and after. The experimental group completed the stretches; the control group sat for the duration of the time. There was a decrease in blood glucose values in the experimental group from thirty to fifty-two minutes in stretching compared to the control group. When comparing the half waypoint to the end of the stretching, there was a significant difference favoring the control group. The statistical analysis did not indicate that stretching was more beneficial than sitting vii