Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews · Mar 26, 2026

Seeking the Mechanism for Reversal of Enhanced Insulin Sensitivity After Acute Exercise

By Wang H, Cartee GD

A single endurance exercise session can elevate subsequent insulin-stimulated glucose uptake by skeletal muscle. Refeeding a high-carbohydrate diet postexercise accelerates the reversal of exercise-enhanced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. We hypothesize that increased glucose flux through the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway mediates the reversal of postexercise-enhanced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake observed with high dietary carbohydrate intake.

doi.org/10.1249/jes.0000000000000385PubMed 41882803Mechanisms