Exercise has been found to have several beneficial effects, helping to improve quality of life of a diabetic. Let us see how exercise works. During exercise the blood glucose level decreases, insulin resistance improves, and insulin requirement comes down. Studies have found that reduction of body weight and regular exercise prevents or delays the onset of diabetes.
Exercise program should be decided considering several factors such as age, duration, type of diabetes. Treating physician, dietician, nurse, physiotherapist and the patient should be actively involved in planning. Patients more than 35 years, type 2 diabetic of more than 10 years and type 1 diabetic of more than 15 years and uncontrolled diabetic should be cautious while exercising. Those who are having micro or macro vascular complications of diabetes, like neuropathy, nephropathy, cardiovascular diseases, and retinopathy should exercise under supervision (Diabetes Care 25:S64, 2002).
What types of exercises are good? Aerobic exercises like walking, swimming, cycling, weight training are all recommended. There should be a warm up period of about 5 – 10 minutes followed by stretching and cool down period of 5 – 10 minutes. About 40 – 60 minutes exercise is found to be effective.
Care of feet is of prime importance while exercising. Proper socks and shoes should be used and should be emphasized in persons with peripheral neuropathy in particular. Post exercise careful inspection of feet for blisters and bruises should be practiced. Hydration is also very important. Before, during and after exercise person should drink enough.
General guidelines that may prove helpful in regulating the glycemic response to exercise can be summarized as follows:
Metabolic control before exercise
Avoid exercise if fasting glucose levels are >250 mg/dl and ketosis is present, and use caution if glucose levels are >300 mg/dl and no ketosis is present.
Ingest added carbohydrate if glucose levels are <100>
Exercise program should be decided considering several factors such as age, duration, type of diabetes. Treating physician, dietician, nurse, physiotherapist and the patient should be actively involved in planning. Patients more than 35 years, type 2 diabetic of more than 10 years and type 1 diabetic of more than 15 years and uncontrolled diabetic should be cautious while exercising. Those who are having micro or macro vascular complications of diabetes, like neuropathy, nephropathy, cardiovascular diseases, and retinopathy should exercise under supervision (Diabetes Care 25:S64, 2002).
What types of exercises are good? Aerobic exercises like walking, swimming, cycling, weight training are all recommended. There should be a warm up period of about 5 – 10 minutes followed by stretching and cool down period of 5 – 10 minutes. About 40 – 60 minutes exercise is found to be effective.
Care of feet is of prime importance while exercising. Proper socks and shoes should be used and should be emphasized in persons with peripheral neuropathy in particular. Post exercise careful inspection of feet for blisters and bruises should be practiced. Hydration is also very important. Before, during and after exercise person should drink enough.
General guidelines that may prove helpful in regulating the glycemic response to exercise can be summarized as follows:
Metabolic control before exercise
Avoid exercise if fasting glucose levels are >250 mg/dl and ketosis is present, and use caution if glucose levels are >300 mg/dl and no ketosis is present.
Ingest added carbohydrate if glucose levels are <100>
Hence dear diabetic (young) do exercise regularly but as per proper professional advise.
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