The research, led by scientists in the University of Otago physiology department, has also identified a "new molecular mechanism" involved in protecting heart health among diabetics, Associate Prof Rajesh Katare said.
The scientists had also identified a new molecular biomarker that showed the beneficial effects of exercise" through a simple blood test, before later positive changes could be seen.
This test could prove "crucial"and "we are quite excited", Prof Katare said.
"This is going to encourage people to keep exercising," Prof Katare said.
Diabetic heart disease (DHD) was a debilitating aspect of type 2 diabetes.
"Our findings provide the first experimental evidence for the critical importance of early exercise in ameliorating the the onset and progression of DHD," the researchers said.
Associate Prof Daryl Schwenke, Prof Katare and Otago graduate Dr Jason Kar-Sheng Lew are among the authors of the study, recently published in the journal Circulation Research.
When exercise began in the early stage of diabetes, a moderate intensity could prevent damage.
However, if exercise was undertaken after some damage had occurred, only high intensity was beneficial, the study found.
