Written by Dean Towers – Exercise Physiologist
Diabetes and pre diabetic conditions such as impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance affect over 20% of the Australian population.
When blood glucose levels in the body are high it causes damage to:
– Blood vessels; increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke.
– Nerves; making it harder for them to carry messages between the brain and the body affecting how we see, feel, hear and move.
– Kidneys; when damaged it makes it hard for your kidneys to clear extra fluid and waste, increasing your blood pressure.
– Foot problems; decreased sensation and circulation can slow healing and increase the risk of infections and if serious lead to limbs being amputated.
Pre diabetes is the warning sign that your body is working harder than it should to keep your blood glucose levels controlled.
Type 2 Diabetes is when your body has lost that battle and can’t control blood glucose effectively anymore.
Physical inactivity and high levels of sedentary time are risk factors for developing diabetes and pre diabetes. Exercise has been widely recognised as a treatment for type 2 diabetes.
How does it work? When you exercise your muscle channels open up which allow glucose from the blood to enter and be used as energy for movement.
Exercise recommendations for managingType 2 diabetes and pre diabetes are to complete 210 mins of moderate physical activity and include a minimum of 2 resistance sessions per week.
Speak to your Exercise Physiologist for more information.
Hordern, MD. et al. Exercise prescription for patients with type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes: A position statement from Exercise and Sport Science Australia. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 2012:15;25-31