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The Benefits of Exercise for the Diabetic Patient
By Dyan Quesada MPT, ATC
The statistics for Diabetes are devastating… it is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States… over 16 million Americans are afflicted with Diabetes… up to 95% of all cases are Type-2 Diabetes… Diabetes is the main cause of kidney failure, limb amputations, new onset of blindness in adults, and a major cause of heart disease and stroke…
Exercise has been shown to have dramatic benefits in both patients with Type-1 and Type-2 Diabetes. This article will focus on Type-2 Diabetes, which usually develops later in life when cells in the body become insulin resistant, and blood glucose levels become elevated into abnormal ranges.
Exercise improves insulin sensitivity. When this happens, blood glucose levels are lowered. The reason this occurs is that exercising muscles require more glucose to meet their energy needs. Regular exercise helps prevent continued high levels of glucose in the blood.
Regular exercise also helps you lose weight. Not only will you look and feel better because of weight loss, excessive weight is often the cause of decreased insulin sensitivity. Insulin is the hormone that is necessary to remove glucose from the blood to be absorbed by cells in the body for storage and fuel.
When blood sugar is managed by exercise, diabetic complications are reduced. These complications include: heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, retinopathy (which can result in blindness), neuropathy (decreased or painful sensations in the legs and feet which can lead to amputation), and nephropathy (kidney failure.)
How should an exercise program be started?
- See a physician before starting a program for a recommendation of a program and any limitations you may have.
- Choose an exercise professional who has knowledge on diabetes.
- Wear proper shoes and absorbent socks.
- Drink plenty of fluid before, during, and after exercise.
Reference: Brown University News Service (www.brown.edu), “Diet and Exercise Cuts Type 2 Diabetes Risk Drastically”, August 8, 2001.
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