Hormonal
Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) performed during morning hours (06:00–12:00) significantly reduces the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy (DR) and slows retinal thinning, whereas late-night physical activity increases DR risk.
If you have diabetes or are at risk, aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per week. Crucially, try to schedule these workouts in the morning (between 6 AM and 12 PM). This timing appears to offer the strongest protection against diabetic eye disease. Avoid exercising late at night (midnight to 6 AM), as this may increase your risk.
Morning MPA and MVPA (6:00–12:00) were protective factors against DR, whereas late-night PA (0:00–5:59) heightened DR risk.
Why this rating
Large prospective cohort (UK Biobank, n=13,600), objective accelerometer data, multivariate adjustment, and propensity score matching.
Source
Association of wearable device-measured physical activity with full-course diabetic retinopathy and retinal traits: insights from the middle-aged and older adult cohort
Chenxiao Shen et al. · Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome · 2025
DOI 10.1186/s13098-025-01745-1
More from this paper
- Higher levels of moderate and moderate-vigorous physical activity are associated with accelerated thickening rates of the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) and macular thickness (MT) across the full course of diabetic retinopathy, suggesting a neuroprotective structural benefit.Good
- Body Mass Index (BMI) partially mediates the protective effect of physical activity on diabetic retinopathy, accounting for 35.7% to 58.7% of the total benefit, indicating that weight loss is a significant but not exclusive mechanism.Good
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