Increasing physical activity can reduce the incidence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) by almost 60% in people at risk. Better blood glucose management often means people can reduce their T2DM medications. As people with diabetes age, the benefit of maintaining muscle mass through exercise is also likely to improve physical function and independence.
Why Exercise?
Exercise can improve the way the muscles respond to insulin
Exercise can help regulate the blood glucose level for some hours after the exercise.
Exercise also increases glucose uptake by the muscles in other ways that do not depend on insulin.
Exercise can lower the dose of insulin required by improving the body’s response to insulin.
What is Type 2 diabetes Mellitus?
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterised by an elevated fasting blood glucose level due to defects in insulin secretion or inability to use insulin.
Everybody benefits from regular exercise but for people with diabetes mellitus (Type 1 or Type 2) exercise can play a vital role in the management of their condition.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition in which the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin. Most often, this leads to increased blood glucose (sugar) levels, called hyperglycaemia.
What exercise is best for people T2DM?
The total amount of exercise should include a combination of aerobic and resistance training. Below we have outlined the general guidelines, please note that you will need to take your current ability into consideration and build up as required. An Accredited Exercise Physiologist can create a suitable exercise program for you, please contact our team if we can assist.
Aerobic exercise (for heart and lung fitness)
Intensity - Moderate / Vigorous
Time - Moderate = Total of 210 min per week
- Vigorous = Total of 125 min per week
How Often - At least 3 days a week with no more than two consecutive days without exercising
Resistance exercise (muscle and bone strength)
Intensity - Moderate to Vigorous
Time - 60 minutes per week (included in totals above)
How Often - 2 or more times per week (2–4 sets of 8–10 repetitions)
How to start exercise with diabetes?
To avoid potential problems, blood glucose levels need to be checked before, during and after exercise
Avoid injecting insulin into exercising limbs
Prevent foot ulcers with supportive shoes and well-fitting socks need to be worn and regular foot checks undertaken
Speak to your GP before you plan to start
Get assessed by an exercise physiologist so they can prescribe you the right exercises for your specific requirements please contact our team if we can assist.
Post Created By Shane - Accredited Exercise Physiologist.
Prescribe Exercise are your local exercise physiology specialists. We provide exercise rehabilitation to assist manage and prevent injury and chronic disease in the Wollongong and Illawarra area.
Our programs will assist to achieve personal excellence, we do this by taking the time to educate and empower you with the highest quality care and exercise best practice available. We genuinely care for our clients and want to make a difference in your life, we will help you to get better and stay better so that you can regain control of your health once again.
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