Author: Martin Harshberger
Diabetes and Exercise There are two main types of diabetes, type I and type
II. Type I diabetes is characterized by the pancreas making too little or no
insulin. An individual with diabetes type I will have to inject insulin
throughout the day in order to control glucose levels. Type II diabetes, also
known as adult onset diabetes, is characterized by the pancreas not producing
enough insulin to control glucose levels or the cells not responding to insulin.
When a cell does not respond to insulin, it is known as insulin resistance. When
a subject is diagnosed with type II diabetes, exercise and weight control are
prescribed as measures to help with insulin resistance. If this does not control
glucose levels, then medication is prescribed.
The risk factors for type II diabetes include: inactivity, high cholesterol,
obesity, and hypertension. Inactivity alone is a very strong risk factor that
has been proven to lead to diabetes type II. Exercise will have a positive
effect on diabetes type II while improving insulin sensitivity while type I
cannot be controlled be an exercise program. Over 90% of individuals with
diabetes have type II.
Exercise causes the body to process glucose faster, which lowers blood sugar.
The more intense the exercise, the faster the body will utilize glucose.
Therefore it is important to understand the differences in training with type I
and type II diabetes. It is important for an individual who has diabetes to
check with a physician before beginning an exercise program. When training with
a diabetic, it is important to understand the dangers of injecting insulin
immediately prior to exercise. An individual with type I diabetes injecting
their normal amount of insulin for a sedentary situation can pose the risk of
hypoglycemia or insulin shock during exercise. General exercise guidelines for
type I are as follows: allow adequate rest during exercise sessions to prevent
high blood pressure, use low impact exercises and avoid heavy weight lifting,
and always have a supply of carbohydrates nearby. If blood sugar levels get too
low, the individual may feel shaky, disoriented, hungry, anxious, become
irritable or experience trembling. Consuming a carbohydrate snack or beverage
will alleviate these symptoms in a matter of minutes.
Before engaging in exercise, it is important for blood sugar levels to be
tested to make sure that they are not below 80 to 100 mg/dl range and not above
250 mg/dl. Glucose levels should also be tested before, during, after and three
to five hours after exercise. During this recovery period (3-5 hours after
exercise), it is important for diabetics to consume ample carbohydrates in order
to prevent hypoglycemia.
Exercise will greatly benefit an individual with type II diabetes because of
its positive effects on insulin sensitivity.
Proper exercise and nutrition are the best forms of prevention for type II
diabetics. It is important for training protocols to be repeated almost daily to
help with sustaining insulin sensitivity. To prevent hypoglycemia, progressively
work up to strenuous activity.
As with individuals with type I diabetes, carbohydrates should also be
present during training to assist in raising blood sugar levels if the
individual becomes
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