Exercise: How it can affect your Type II Diabetes Treatment

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise: How it can affect your Type II Diabetes Treatment

 

According to the CDC, approximately 37 million people have Type II Diabetes. We are currently in an epidemic. There needs to be a change! There is something that could help to lower blood sugar and improve overall health. 

 

Introduction:

Type II Diabetes is a metabolic disease where your body doesn’t use insulin properly. The pancreas makes insulin which transports glucose to the cells. The problem is the glucose channel is closed so there is no way for the glucose to get out of the bloodstream which causes your blood sugar levels to rise. One of the main causes of Type II Diabetes is an unhealthy lifestyle, regarding low activity levels and a poor diet. A way to check for Type II Diabetes is by doing an HbA1c test. This blood test tells you how much blood sugar is in your bloodstream over the past 2-3 months. 

 

Research Findings: 

 

1.    Both the ACSM and the ADA have agreed that everyone should be getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.    

2.    Studies looking at Resistance Training and Aerobic Exercise have both been shown to decrease HbA1c levels and improve body composition and glycemic control.   

 

 

Practical Applications: 

 

o   It can be free, go for a walk, run, or a workout at home 

o   Figure out what works best for your lifestyle and what you enjoy doing 

o   Check blood sugar levels before and after exercise

o   Do aerobic exercise, such as walking for at least 30 minutes at a moderate intensity

o   Do resistance training, such as weightlifting for at least 45 minutes at a moderate intensity

o   Do some form of exercise almost every day, this could be a walk, weightlifting, yoga, or a hike, it is important to get your body moving 

o   Long-term studies need to be done to be utilized in future experiments

o   Keep consistent, this will help to ensure that blood sugar levels are maintained 

Additional Resources: 

o   Check out the Diabetes website to learn more about symptoms & treatment!

o   This video from CNN shows the importance of exercising with Type II Diabetes and insight on someone’s story!

 

 

 

Elizabeth Naff is a senior at Westfield State University. In December 2022, she will graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Medicine & Human Performance and a minor in Psychology. She is an active board member of the Health Professions Club and the Powerlifting Club. After graduation, she plans to go to MCPHS to get her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy. She can be contacted at enaff4@gmail.com

 

References:

1.    Hamasaki H. (2016). Daily physical activity and type 2 diabetes: A review. World journal of diabetes, 7(12), 243–251. https://doi.org/10.4239/wjd.v7.i12.243

2.    Hameed, U. A., Manzar, D., Raza, S., Shareef, M. Y., & Hussain, M. E. (2012). Resistance Training Leads to Clinically Meaningful Improvements in Control of Glycemia and Muscular Strength in Untrained Middle-aged Patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. North American journal of medical sciences, 4(8), 336–343. https://doi.org/10.4103/1947-2714.99507

3.    Jiang, Y., Tan, S., Wang, Z., Guo, Z., Li, Q., & Wang, J. (2020). Aerobic exercise training at maximal fat oxidation intensity improves body composition, glycemic control, and physical capacity in older people with type 2 diabetes. Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness, 18(1), 7–13.

4.    Magalhães, J. P., Melo, X., Correia, I. R., Ribeiro, R. T., Raposo, J., Dores, H., Bicho, M., & Sardinha, L. B. (2019). Effects of combined training with different intensities on vascular health in patients with type 2 diabetes: a 1-year randomized controlled trial. Cardiovascular diabetology, 18(1), 34. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12933-019-0840-2