Diabetes and Exercise Physiology

May 20, 2024

Diabetes represents a series of metabolic conditions associated with hyperglycaemia and caused by partial or total insulin insufficiency.

Chronic hyperglycaemia can result in microvascular changes and complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy (Egan, A.M & Dinneen, S.F. 2019). These can progress to macro-vascular changes and can increase the individual’s likeliness of cardiovascular disease including stroke, myocardial infarction, and peripheral arterial disease.

Individuals with a sedentary lifestyle and diet high in saturated fats are at increased risk of developing type II diabetes. Type II diabetes is classified as a Hba1c >6.5% and prediabetes is defined as Hba1c levels being between 5.7 and 6.4% (Vijayakumar, P & et al, 2017)

What are the benefits of exercise for individuals with diabetes?

• Improves response to insulin
• Lowers blood glucose
  • Increased glucose uptake in the muscles
  • Increased glucose utilization
  • Increased insulin sensitivity
• Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Controls weight
• Reduces risk of developing diabetes complications
  
  

Exercise intensity and the effect on blood glucose level

• Moderate intensity long duration exercise (> 30 minutes)
  • Blood glucose levels decrease

    This is because aerobic exercise uses large muscle groups continuously over a long period of time.  This continuous contraction stimulates the breakdown of glycogen in the muscles as well as glucose uptake from the blood stream = overall decrease in BGL. (Diabetes NSW & ACT, 2019)

• High intensity short duration exercise
  • Blood glucose level increases for up to 1-2 hours

    This is due to a hormonal response and increased adrenaline, nor-adrenaline and cortisol that increases the production of glucose by the liver and reduce muscular glucose uptake. The effects of these hormones can easily exceed the body’s immediate need for glucose = increase in BGL. (Diabetes NSW & ACT, 2019)

• During mixed intensity exercise > 60 minutes
  • Blood glucose level generally remain the same (Diabetes NSW & ACT, 2019)

What can you do to help your patients?

Figtree Private Hospital run a Diabetes Program ‘Beat It ‘

• ‘Beat It’ is a 8 week program (2 sessions per week) that involves moderate intensity aerobic, strength and balance based exercises as well as education sessions on healthy living –
• The group is run by trained Exercise Physiologists that tailor specific exercise programs to each individual based on their needs
• Diabetes CDM plan will help contribute to the cost of the program

Referrals: Please email all referrals to Rehab.fig@ramsayhealth.com.au

Figtree Private Hospital
1 Suttor Place Figtree
P: 02 4255 5000

E: rehab.fig@ramsayhealth.com.au