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Type 2 diabetes

, by far the most common form of diabetes, is a metabolic disorder in which the

body develops difficulty using insulin. Insulin is a hormone needed to process

glucose (blood sugar) for energy. People who develop type 2 diabetes are often

overweight and physically inactive, and physicians typically prescribe

exercise

as one of the treatments.

To summarize the wealth of recent research about exercise, the American Diabetes

Association (ADA) has reviewed the findings and published a consensus statement.

Patients are urged to get approval from their physician before becoming more

active, because not all exercises are appropriate for everyone.

For example, patients with foot ulcers will likely need to avoid high-impact

activities such as running, and people with hypoglycemia unawareness (difficulty

sensing low blood sugar) may have to take extra precautions.

The ADA's general guidelines for patients with type 2 diabetes:

list of 2 items

.. Aerobic exercise (activities that get the heart pumping, such as bicycling,

walking, tennis or dancing). At least 150 minutes a week at moderate intensity

and/or at least 90 minutes a week at vigorous intensity is advised to help

control glucose, weight and risk of heart disease. The exercise should take

place over at least three days in the week, with no more than two exercise-free

days in a row.

.. Resistance exercise (strength training, such as weight lifting). The ADA

advises three days a week of exercises targeting all major groups, supervised

initially and occasionally thereafter by a qualified exercise specialist to

reduce the risk of injury. The goal is to complete three sets using weight

that cannot be lifted more than eight to 10 times.

list end

In addition, exercise experts often recommend a light warmup and stretching

before and after other exercises to improve flexibility and prevent injury.

The ADA suggests that patients who take insulin or diabetes medications that

cause secretion of insulin, such as sulfonylureas, perform glucose monitoring

before, after and several hours after exercise sessions, at least until they

have established how the exercise affects their glucose. People with

hypoglycemia

unawareness should consult their physician about strategies, which may include

altering the dose of medication before exercise or eating more carbohydrates

before or during exercise.

For people with

prediabetes

(glucose above normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes), the

guidelines call for reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes with the combination

of a nutritious, controlled-calorie diet and at least 150 minutes weekly of

moderate to vigorous physical activity.

The recommendations were published last month in the journal Diabetes Care. The

ADA also plans to issue exercise guidelines for people with type 1 diabetes,

an autoimmune disorder in which the body mistakenly destroys the insulin-making

cells of the pancreas.

Copyright 2000-2006 HealthCentersOnline Inc.

Publish Date: July 17, 2006

HealthCentersOnline Commentary:

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For additional information, visit these topic centers:

Diabetes Exercise & Fitness Center

Type 2 Diabetes Basics Center

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