Exercise prescription for diabetic patients

At present, the number of diabetes patients in my country has exceeded 140 million, ranking first in the world, while the treatment rate and blood sugar control rate are both less than 50%. Regular exercise can increase insulin sensitivity, improve body composition and quality of life, help control blood sugar, and reduce cardiovascular risk factors. It plays an important role in the comprehensive management of diabetic patients and is one of the main forms of lifestyle intervention.

However, in the actual management of diabetic patients, lack of exercise, insufficient exercise, and incorrect exercise are common. In the daily management of diabetic patients, family doctors should strengthen health education management and guide diabetic patients to exercise in the correct and scientific way to achieve the goal of good blood sugar control.

For exercise guidance for patients with diabetes, the main recommendations include the following types of exercise and precautions:

1. Type of exercise

Aerobic exercise

Recommended exercises include brisk walking, jogging, swimming and cycling. These exercises help improve cardiopulmonary function and can effectively consume blood sugar. Each exercise is recommended to last 30-60 minutes and be performed 3-5 times a week.

Resistance Exercise

Using dumbbells, squats, push-ups, etc. can enhance muscle strength and increase basal metabolic rate, thus helping to control blood sugar levels. Do this 2-3 times a week, with at least 48 hours between two exercises.

Flexibility training

Exercises such as yoga and stretching can help improve body flexibility and joint mobility, reducing the risk of sports injuries.

Mixed exercise refers to the combination of different types of exercise such as aerobic exercise, strength training and stretching exercises to achieve coordinated development of various parts of the body. For example, before starting exercise, do 10 minutes of flexibility exercises such as leg stretching and splits, then do aerobic exercises to mobilize cardiopulmonary function, such as jogging, skipping, swimming, basketball, and football for 10 minutes, then do muscle strength exercises, such as plank support, sit-ups, and squats for 10 minutes, and finally stretch and organize with flexibility and balance exercises, such as yoga, Tai Chi, balance mat training, etc., to promote the body to gradually recover to the pre-exercise level.

Moderate intensity is the best, that is, the heart rate is controlled at 60% to 70% of the maximum heart rate (maximum heart rate is about 170 minus age). This intensity of exercise can effectively consume blood sugar without placing too much burden on the body.

2. Precautions before and after exercise

Before exercise

Make sure your blood sugar is within the appropriate range. If your blood sugar is too high or too low, avoid exercising.

During exercise

It is recommended to exercise 40 minutes to 1 hour after a meal, when blood sugar levels are relatively high and exercise is less likely to cause hypoglycemia. This can minimize the amount of insulin circulating in the blood and provide sufficient time for the digestion of carbohydrates, which are then consumed during exercise. After breakfast, it is advisable to do aerobic exercise first and then resistance exercise. After lunch, it can be adjusted to resistance exercise first and then aerobic exercise. Avoid exercising on an empty stomach or immediately after a meal. At the same time, drink water in time to avoid dehydration that may cause blood sugar to rise.

You can carry candies, biscuits and other items with you in case of emergency.

After exercise

Measure blood sugar immediately to understand blood sugar changes. Drink warm water or drinks containing potassium and sodium appropriately.

Check your feet for injuries, blisters, redness, or damage, and keep them clean and dry.

3. Other matters needing attention

Exercise is prohibited in the following situations: various acute infections; blood sugar > 15 mmol/L combined with elevated blood ketones ≥ 1.5 mmol/L; recent blood sugar < 2.8 mmol/L or severe hypoglycemia requiring help from others; unstable proliferative retinopathy or severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, uncontrolled hypertension; untreated autonomic neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, foot ulcers or glycosylated hemoglobin concentration higher than 9%. Exercise is prohibited when the condition is unstable. Perform appropriate warm-up and finishing activities before and after exercise. Carry first aid cards, medical condition cards, etc. with you so that you can seek help in time in case of emergency during exercise.

Through regular exercise, people with diabetes can better control their blood sugar levels, reduce the risk of complications, and improve their overall health. It is recommended to consult a doctor or professional before starting a new exercise plan to ensure that the exercise plan is suitable for your health condition. In summary, when exercising, people with diabetes should follow scientific and reasonable guidelines to ensure the safety and effectiveness of exercise. Through moderate exercise, patients can better control their blood sugar levels and improve their quality of life.