Diabetes and Fitness

Knowing that you have to exercise and how to actually do it are two different things. The type, level and duration of physical activity that you undertake as a diabetic will depend on what is suitable for you, something you should agree with your doctor or healthcare team.

We are developing our Diabetes, Sport and Exercise area to encompass the information any diabetic would want to know about sports, fitness and exercise in relation to diabetes.

What is the best kind of physical activity to help prevent or manage diabetes?

The best type of physical activity will depend on your individual situation. Generally, aerobic exercise, strength training and flexibility training should be combined to form a comprehensive exercise routine.

What is aerobic exercise and how can it help diabetes?

Aerobic exercise increases how fast your heart beats, raises your breathing rates, and works your muscles out. For the average person trying to lose weight, approximately 30 minutes per day, around five days a week should yield clear results.

However, if you are starting out on exercise and haven’t been active, much less than that can make a real difference. Aerobic exercise for diabetics include things like: taking a walk, dancing, aerobics, swimming, ice-skating, tennis, gym.

What is strength training and how can it help diabetes?

Strength training is particularly effective for building strong bones and muscles. Muscle burns calories, even when it is at rest, and this can be very effective in terms of staving off or better managing diabetes.

Strength training for diabetes mellitusincludes things like weight lifting, either at home or at the gym.

What is flexibility training and how can it help diabetes?

Flexibility training, usually called stretching, can make a real difference to your diabetes. It keeps your joints flexible and lowers the risk of injury.

Stretching before and after aerobic exercise or strength training helps your body warm up and down.

Seize the moment

As well as doing consistent, suitable exercise, being active throughout the whole day can help to burn calories. This means seizing the moment and burning as many calories as possible. For instance, using a bike or walking rather than driving, doing garden or household chores, and setting yourself small physical challenges can all be helpful.