Exercise for Diabetes

Which physical activity is recommended for diabetics and how it should be followed?

Diabetics should be encouraged to participate in regular (30 minutes, 5 to 7 days a week) of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (walking, jogging, cycling or swimming). Even regular exercise with lower intensity and duration or less frequent aerobic exercise has been shown to have beneficial effects. If there are no contraindications, adults with type 2 diabetes should be encouraged to do muscle strengthening exercises with weights at least twice a week.

Muscle strengthening exercises with weights appear to be associated with improved insulin sensitivity and a combined program of aerobic exercise and weight training for adults with type 2 diabetes appears to offer additional advantages. The exercise in diabetic patients should be started gradually both in intensity and in duration and must be performed when there is doctor's permission and once the blood glucose levels allow it.

In cases where insulin is used, the exercise should be avoided when the glucose is high (values> 250 mg / dl) or when there is ketonuria. In cases when the exercise was not planned, the person should take extra carbohydrates before starting exercise.