Can exercise lower blood sugar?

A new study says "maybe."

Lifestyle habits can go a long way in controlling type 2 diabetes. A diet low in refined sugars, weight control, exercise, stress management and even adequate sleep all are recommended as part of a comprehensive approach to managing the illness. Of those, one of the most important is physical activity.

An interesting study published in the May 27, 2009, issue of the "Journal of the American Medical Association" took a look at this. The study evaluated the prevalence of heart risk factors (including blood sugar) in 504 players from 12 NFL teams who were compared with a sample of other men to see how their risk factors rated. One finding was the difference in fasting blood sugar between the two groups. Even though the NFL players weighed on average at least 60 pounds more than the men in the control group, their average fasting blood sugar was lower.