Read 39 times since Monday, November 07, 2011
Doctors and the medical community recommends that Type 2 diabetics incorporate exercise into their diabetes management regimen. In doing so, the individual diabetic is able to protect against major complications such as heart disease and arterial conditions.
The question though is what type is best for diabetes management. There are many kinds of exercises, such as cardio training, weight training, simple walking or any combination that are available to the diabetic. This question has been answered in a research conducted at the University of Calgary.
The study was conducted through the evaluation of 251 adults between the ages of 39 to 70. These individuals were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and did not engage in regular exercise. There were four main groups in the study, which were as follows:
a) One group did aerobic (cardio) exercise for 45 minutes, three times a week;
b) One group did resistance (weights) exercises for 45 minutes, three times a week;
c) One group did both cardio and weights exercises for 45 minutes each group, three times a week;
d) One group did not exercise during the study;
What the study team measured is the blood glucose levels in the participants of Type 2 diabetics, particularly A1c indicators before and after the exercise programs. A1c is good indicator of blood glucose levels in the last three months.
The results yielded that the combined cardio and weights exercisers dropped their A1c levels twice as much compared to the individuals who did only cardio or weights. This means that the type of exercise is not important as any exercise lowered the blood sugar levels of the Type 2 diabetic. Doing twice as much exercise lowered the A1c levels twice as much. Those who did not exercise did not register any A1c level decrease during the study.
This means that regardless of any kind of exercise, exercising at least 45 minutes each day, three times a week can help improve the diabetic management system of the individual. Before such exercise regimen is undertaken, the diabetic should seek medical advice from their doctor knowledgeable about the medical history of the individual. Furthermore, checking the blood sugar levels regularly, especially before and after the exercise program is important to keep the diabetic safe during the program. Also, it would be best to have an individual knowledgeable in first aid to be available when undergoing the exercise. This is to avoid possible hypoglycemia or hyperglycemic attacks that can occur when exercising as a Type 2 diabetic. Bobby Castro is the online editor at the Diabetes Forum, where he has published a number of articles about diabetes treatment and many other topics.
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