Why Exercise is Important for Diabetes
What is Diabetes & Why is Exercise Important?
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of severe health complications and ranks among the top 10 causes of death globally. Despite ongoing research, there is currently no cure for diabetes, making prevention and management strategies more important than ever.
One of the most effective ways to manage and reduce your risk of diabetes is through regular physical activity. But before we explore how exercise helps, let’s take a look at what diabetes actually is.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic condition that affects how your body regulates blood glucose (sugar) levels. If left unmanaged, high blood sugar can damage various organs and systems in the body. There are two main types of diabetes, each with distinct causes and management strategies.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is often diagnosed during childhood or early adulthood. It occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas (DiMeglio et al., 2018).
Insulin is a hormone essential for regulating blood sugar. Without it, glucose levels rise, increasing the risk of complications such as:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Kidney damage
- Vision problems
- Nerve issues
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90% of all diabetes cases. It develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or cannot produce enough to maintain normal glucose levels (Ismail et al., 2021).
This form of diabetes is strongly linked to lifestyle factors, and in many cases, it can be delayed—or even prevented—through lifestyle changes such as improved diet and increased physical activity.
Exercise & Diabetes: Why It Matters
Exercise is one of the most powerful tools for preventing and managing diabetes.
It is recommended to aim for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each day. This could include:
- A brisk walk
- A gym session
- Swimming laps
- Playing a team sport
Why does it matter?
- Improves blood sugar control, helping regulate glucose more effectively (Sigal et al., 2018)
- Delays the onset of Type 2 diabetes, especially in those at high risk (Colberg et al., 2016)
- Supports weight loss and weight management
- Reduces insulin resistance
- Lowers blood pressure
- Improves physical strength, energy, and function
Understanding Blood Sugar During Exercise
Exercise significantly impacts glucose levels, and it’s important to understand how different types of exercise affect the body:
- Aerobic activity (like walking or swimming) may lower blood glucose
- Anaerobic activity (like weightlifting or sprinting) may raise blood glucose temporarily
(Riddell & Perkins, 2009)
Without proper monitoring, these fluctuations can pose serious safety risks, particularly for individuals on insulin or other glucose-lowering medications.
Get Expert Support
Everyone’s experience with diabetes is different, so is their response to exercise. That’s why we strongly recommend speaking with a health professional before starting a new fitness routine.
Our Exercise Physiologists are trained to develop safe, personalised exercise programs to support your health journey. Make an appointment below!
For more information about diabetes types, symptoms, and living well with the condition, visit:
🔗 Diabetes Australia
