Exercise training alters the glycemic response to carbohydrate and is an important consideration when evaluating dietary carbohydrate intake.

Carbohydrates raise insulin concentrations in blood. Exercise decreases the insulin response to carbohydrate infusion and is beneficial in reducing postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations. This is important as there has been recent information suggesting postprandial insulin concentrations are linked to obesity (Carbohydrate-Insulin Model of Obesity). The validity of this model may be in question in face of chronic exercise.