How do elderly patients with diabetes perform exercise therapy?

Elderly people with diabetes can manage their disease, improve their quality of life, and reduce the risk of complications through moderate exercise therapy. Exercise can help control blood sugar levels, improve body sensitivity, enhance cardiovascular health, relieve joint pain, improve mental health, and strengthen muscles and bones. However, elderly people with diabetes need to pay special attention to the type and frequency of exercise to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Consult a doctor

It is very important to consult a doctor or professional healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program in older people with diabetes. This is because the physical conditions and potential complications of older people with diabetes may require special attention and care.

Assessing health status: Doctors will evaluate older people with diabetes' overall health, how well their diabetes is controlled, and any other underlying health problems.

Develop an appropriate exercise plan: Based on the patient's health status, the doctor can develop a personalized exercise plan to suit the patient's physical condition and abilities.

Provide guidance: Your doctor can provide guidance on how to perform exercise safely and effectively. This may include understanding the appropriate exercise equipment, correct exercise technique and form, and how to monitor your condition.

Monitoring and adjustment: Consulting doctors can regularly monitor the exercise effects and health status of elderly diabetic patients. According to the patient's feedback and situation, the doctor can adjust the exercise plan and provide necessary guidance.

In short, older people with diabetes should consult a doctor or professional healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program. The doctor will develop an appropriate exercise plan based on the patient's health status and needs, and provide guidance and monitoring to minimize potential risks and provide the best health benefits for older people with diabetes.

Choose the right exercise

Older people with diabetes need to consider age, health status, and individual preferences when choosing appropriate exercise. Choosing the right type of exercise for you is an important step in ensuring that exercise is safe and sustainable. Here are some exercise options that are suitable for older people with diabetes:

Walking: Taking a daily walk can help control blood sugar levels, improve cardiovascular health, and also reduce stress on the joints.

Swimming: Swimming is a very joint-friendly exercise because the weight of the body is supported in the water, which reduces the burden on the joints. In addition, swimming can exercise muscles throughout the body and help improve cardiopulmonary function.

Cycling: Cycling is an aerobic exercise that improves cardiorespiratory fitness while being low-impact on joints. Older people with diabetes can choose to exercise outdoors or indoors using a static bike.

Yoga: Yoga is a comprehensive exercise that can improve flexibility, balance and psychology. And yoga's meditation and deep breathing exercises can help reduce stress and anxiety.

Gentle aerobic exercise: Gentle aerobic exercise, such as dance classes, tai chi, or Pilates, can improve cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and balance.

Water exercise: Water activities, such as water aerobics and water rehabilitation, are very suitable for elderly diabetic patients. The buoyancy of water can reduce the pressure on joints, while the resistance of water can increase the effect of exercise.

Resistance training: Resistance training, such as lifting weights or training with resistance bands, helps increase muscle mass and metabolic rate. Strong muscles can help manage blood sugar and improve physical fitness.

When choosing an appropriate exercise, older people with diabetes need to consider the following: Individual health status: Consider any existing health problems, such as cardiovascular disease or joint problems, to ensure that the exercise chosen is appropriate for them. Medications: Some medications may affect physiological responses to exercise, so it is recommended to consult a doctor before starting a new exercise program. Goals: Set clear exercise goals, such as improving cardiovascular health, controlling blood sugar, or losing weight, to determine the most appropriate type of exercise.

Get regular exercise

For older people with diabetes, regular exercise is key to maintaining good health and managing blood sugar levels. By doing at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, you can improve your physical fitness, lower your blood sugar, enhance your cardiovascular health, and reduce your risk of complications. These 150 minutes can be broken up into several shorter exercise sessions to make them easier to incorporate into your daily life.

Aerobic exercise can improve the health of your heart and blood vessels and reduce your risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. In addition, exercise can help control your weight and reduce your risk of obesity, which is a significant risk factor for diabetes. Reduces the risk of complications Older people with diabetes need to be extra careful to prevent the risk of complications. Aerobic exercise can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, neurological problems, visual impairment, and other complications. By improving the body's overall health, exercise helps improve immune system function and reduces the risk of infection.

Author: Xie Hong, Department of General Medicine, Zigong Fourth People's Hospital