Physical Exercise as therapy for Type 2 Diabetes
Mellitus
Abstract
Diabetes has become a global epidemic, primarily due to the increased number of
patients with type 2 diabetes. About 422 million people worldwide have diabetes. There is
solid evidence for the beneficial effects of structured exercise on metabolic markers in
patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Exercise improves blood glucose control in type 2
diabetes, reduces cardiovascular risk factors, contributes to weight loss, and improves
well-being. Regular exercise may prevent or delay type 2 diabetes development. Regular
exercise also has considerable health benefits for people with type 1 diabetes (e.g.,
improved cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, insulin sensitivity, body composition and
with some studies also supporting beneficial effects on lipid status and blood pressure).
The challenges related to blood glucose management vary with diabetes type, activity
type, and presence of diabetes-related complications. Many studies have offered ample
evidences of the beneficial effects of resistance training.
Abstract
Diabetes has become a global epidemic, primarily due to the increased number of
patients with type 2 diabetes. About 422 million people worldwide have diabetes. There is
solid evidence for the beneficial effects of structured exercise on metabolic markers in
patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Exercise improves blood glucose control in type 2
diabetes, reduces cardiovascular risk factors, contributes to weight loss, and improves
well-being. Regular exercise may prevent or delay type 2 diabetes development. Regular
exercise also has considerable health benefits for people with type 1 diabetes (e.g.,
improved cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, insulin sensitivity, body composition and
with some studies also supporting beneficial effects on lipid status and blood pressure).
The challenges related to blood glucose management vary with diabetes type, activity
type, and presence of diabetes-related complications. Many studies have offered ample
evidences of the beneficial effects of resistance training.
Introduction
Diabetes is a chronic, metabolic disease characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose,
which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and
nerves. The incidence of diabetes has increased sharply over the past decades. World
Health Organization forecasts that in 2030, diabetes will become the seventh leading cause
of death and the global prevalence is expected to reach 4,4% (Alwan, 2010). Type 2
diabetes is a significant cause of premature mortality and morbidity related to
cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney and nerve disease, and amputation. The main
forms of diabetes can be classified in type 1 or type 2. Type I diabetes mellitus (which
accounts for 5–10% of cases) is a disease that can occur for two reasons: as an
autoimmune disease that occurs in children or as a consequence of the inability of
pancreatic cells to produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes (90–95% of cases) is more common in
overweight people, in people with a genetic burden, in women who have had gestational
pregnancies diabetes or have polycystic ovaries.
Introduction
Diabetes is a chronic, metabolic disease characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose,
which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and
nerves. The incidence of diabetes has increased sharply over the past decades. World
Health Organization forecasts that in 2030, diabetes will become the seventh leading cause
of death and the global prevalence is expected to reach 4,4% (Alwan, 2010). Type 2
diabetes is a significant cause of premature mortality and morbidity related to
cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney and nerve disease, and amputation. The main
forms of diabetes can be classified in type 1 or type 2. Type I diabetes mellitus (which
accounts for 5–10% of cases) is a disease that can occur for two reasons: as an
autoimmune disease that occurs in children or as a consequence of the inability of
pancreatic cells to produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes (90–95% of cases) is more common in
overweight people, in people with a genetic burden, in women who have had gestational
pregnancies diabetes or have polycystic ovaries.
Biography
Borislav Šegrt
MSc9student at the Faculty of Sport and
PE,9University of9 Novi Sad.
Biography
Borislav Šegrt
MSc9student at the Faculty of Sport and
PE,9University of9 Novi Sad.
References
1. Colberg, S., Yardley, J., Dunstan, D., Dempsey, P., Horton, E.,
Castorino, K., and Tate, D. (2016). Exercise and diabetes: A
position statement of the American Diabetes Association,
39:2065-2079.
2. Alvarez, C., Ramirez-Campillo, R., Martinez, C., Mancilla, R.,
et al. (2016). Low-volume high-intensity interval training as
a therapy for type 2 diabetes. International Journal of Sports
Medicine, 37:180-93.
3. Hall, E., Guyton, A. (2011). Guyton and Hall textbook of
medical physiology. 12 th ed. Philadelphia.
4. Agardh, C. & Berne, C. (2010). Diabetes. Liber, 4.ed,
Stockholm.
5. Bell, L., Watts K., Siafarikas A., Thompson A., Ratnam N.,
Bulsara M., et al. (2007). Exercise alone reduces insulin
resistance in obese children independently of changes in
body composition. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology
Metabolism, 92:4230–4235.
6. Alwan, A., World Health Organization (2011). Global status
report on noncommunicable diseases. World Health
Organization, Geneva.
References
1. Colberg, S., Yardley, J., Dunstan, D., Dempsey, P., Horton, E.,
Castorino, K., and Tate, D. (2016). Exercise and diabetes: A
position statement of the American Diabetes Association,
39:2065-2079.
2. Alvarez, C., Ramirez-Campillo, R., Martinez, C., Mancilla, R.,
et al. (2016). Low-volume high-intensity interval training as
a therapy for type 2 diabetes. International Journal of Sports
Medicine, 37:180-93.
3. Hall, E., Guyton, A. (2011). Guyton and Hall textbook of
medical physiology. 12 th ed. Philadelphia.
4. Agardh, C. & Berne, C. (2010). Diabetes. Liber, 4.ed,
Stockholm.
5. Bell, L., Watts K., Siafarikas A., Thompson A., Ratnam N.,
Bulsara M., et al. (2007). Exercise alone reduces insulin
resistance in obese children independently of changes in
body composition. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology
Metabolism, 92:4230–4235.
6. Alwan, A., World Health Organization (2011). Global status
report on noncommunicable diseases. World Health
Organization, Geneva.
Conclusion
Adopting and implementation regular physical activity is key to maintaining blood glucose
levels and the overall health of people with diabetes and insulin resistance. Strength training
recommendations are based on clinically oriented studies and evidence regarding physical
activity and exercise in people with type 2 diabetes. It’s also important to have a healthy
meal plan and avoid low fiber foods. The benefits of strength training for people with type 2
diabetes include improved glycemic control, lipid status, insulin sensitivity, blood pressure,
cardiovascular risk and mortality. It also includes an increase in muscle mass, body
composition, strength, physical function, mental health, bone mineral density and weight
reduction. Exercise has a great psychological effect. Establishing control over diabetes is
reflected in other areas of life, self-confidence increases and medication dependence
decreases
Conclusion
Adopting and implementation regular physical activity is key to maintaining blood glucose
levels and the overall health of people with diabetes and insulin resistance. Strength training
recommendations are based on clinically oriented studies and evidence regarding physical
activity and exercise in people with type 2 diabetes. It’s also important to have a healthy
meal plan and avoid low fiber foods. The benefits of strength training for people with type 2
diabetes include improved glycemic control, lipid status, insulin sensitivity, blood pressure,
cardiovascular risk and mortality. It also includes an increase in muscle mass, body
composition, strength, physical function, mental health, bone mineral density and weight
reduction. Exercise has a great psychological effect. Establishing control over diabetes is
reflected in other areas of life, self-confidence increases and medication dependence
decreases
Recent recommendations in the American Diabetes Association technical review support the
American College of Sports Medicine guidelines that resistance training be included as an
essential component of a well-balanced physical activity program for those with type 2
diabetes who do not have contraindications to exercise. Considering the available evidence,
it appears that resistance training could be an effective intervention to help improve
glycemic control (Eves & Plotnikoff, 2010). Specifically, the American College of Sports
Medicine advocates that resistance training should be performed on at least 2 days per
week, with a minimum of 8–10 exercises involving the major muscle groups for 10–15
repetitions to near fatigue. Sigal, Kenny, Boule, Wells, Reid, Coyle & Jaffey have shown
moderate to strong results and were successful. They proved that the combined type of
training (Aerobic training/resistance training) has the best effect on glycemic control in type
2 diabetes. Flexibility exercises improve range of motion around joints. Balance exercises
benefit gait and prevent falls. Activities like tai chi and yoga combine flexibility, balance, and
resistance activities
Recent recommendations in the American Diabetes Association technical review support the
American College of Sports Medicine guidelines that resistance training be included as an
essential component of a well-balanced physical activity program for those with type 2
diabetes who do not have contraindications to exercise. Considering the available evidence,
it appears that resistance training could be an effective intervention to help improve
glycemic control (Eves & Plotnikoff, 2010). Specifically, the American College of Sports
Medicine advocates that resistance training should be performed on at least 2 days per
week, with a minimum of 8–10 exercises involving the major muscle groups for 10–15
repetitions to near fatigue. Sigal, Kenny, Boule, Wells, Reid, Coyle & Jaffey have shown
moderate to strong results and were successful. They proved that the combined type of
training (Aerobic training/resistance training) has the best effect on glycemic control in type
2 diabetes. Flexibility exercises improve range of motion around joints. Balance exercises
benefit gait and prevent falls. Activities like tai chi and yoga combine flexibility, balance, and
resistance activities
Borislav Šegrt, M.Sc.1;&Pavle Jovanov,&M.Sc.1;&Gianluca&Silvestrini,&B.Sc.2;&Dragana&Zanini&M.Sc.1;&Valdemar&Štajer,&Ph.D.1;&Sergej Ostojić,&Ph.D.1;&
1Faculty of Sports and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad,92Foro9Italico, University of Rome
Physical exercise and type 2 diabetes mellitus
