UC San Diego

Research shows that mitochondrial function and insulin resistance go hand in hand. As mitochondrial oxidative capacity is decreased, individuals are more likely to become insulin resistant and to develop type 2 diabetes. Exercise is known to increase mitochondrial oxidative capacity, helping these individuals enhance their insulin sensitivity. There are many genetic risk factors that are known to predispose individuals to type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders, some of which may limit the beneficial effects of exercise. I hypothesized that Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with high BMI and type 2 diabetes and located in or near genes that regulate mitochondrial function will mediate the insulin sensitizing effects of exercise.