Your Exercise Rehabilitation for Diabetes

How does exercise help to manage type II diabetes?

Helps to balance blood sugar levels
Improved insulin sensitivity therefore lowering medication requirements
Diabetes significantly increases the risk of Heart Disease and Stroke. Exercise is effective in managing the risk factors of these diseases including high cholesterol, high blood pressure and increased body fat/obesity.

Reduced anxiety, depression and an improved ability to deal with stress, therefore preventing stress related disruptions to blood glucose levels. For other ways of managing your stress see heart math.

Will regular exercise help you?

Exercise can help to appropriately manage Type II Diabetes and ensure that you maintain a high quality of life. Using exercise, as part of your management plan, will help you to avoid associated complications such as kidney disease, foot and lower limb complications, blindness, heart disease and stroke.

What exercises get the best results?

Aerobic exercise for lowering your blood pressure, improve your circulation, reducing your weight and improving the health of your heart. Aerobic exercises at least 30 min on every day. Can include things like walking, swimming, running, bike riding, tennis, squash

Strength training for improved insulin resistance and increased strength. Strength training programs can be done with weights, theraband or home made equipment like 2ltr milk bottles filled with water.

Flexibility training for improved mobility. This can Include things like yoga, pilates or specific stretching exercises

Your exercise program should be done daily as the effects on insulin resistance usually only last 24-48 hrs

What are the considerations for Exercise and diabetes

Footwear: Make sure you wear good footwear as you may have reduced circulation in your feet.

Chest pain: Diabetes and heart disease are closely linked so report any chest pain to your health care professional

Blood sugar levels: Never exercise if your blood sugar levels are below 5.5 or over 14 as exercise can send you blood sugars both up and down,

Food: You will need about an extra 15g of carbohydrate for every hour of exercise. This can be taken before during or after exercise. If your exercise is high intensity then you may need up to 30g of carbohydrate.

Where do you start?

Your Diabetes will respond differently to various types of exercises. Talking with an Exercise Physiologist will help you to identify what exercises are best suited to your needs.

Talk to your GP about a referral to an Exercise Physiologist or contact Enriched. Rebates available through Medicare Plus (with GP referral) and Private Health funds.

  1. Information for Gps. Type II Group Diabetes program
  2. Referral form for Gps. Type II Group Diabetes program
  3. Referral form for Gps: Individual Allied Health Services

 Why wait? Download your first Exercise Program here!

Medicare
Veteran Affairs