Training Tips for Diabetics
By Alphonso Allen
Diabetes mellitusis a chronic metabolic disorder that cannot be cured but can be controlled. Untreated, it can result in vision loss, circulatory problems, kidney disease and death. There are two types of diabetes: type I, or insulin dependant diabetes, and type II , or non-insulin dependant diabetes. Type II diabetes accounts for about 95% of all diabetes. Type II diabetics usually develop the disorder during their adult years and they are frequently obese. Exercise, along with diet and medication, can help diabetics manage their disease.
10 Training Tips For Diabetics
1. Before beginning an exercise program consult with your physician about monitoring and adjusting your insulin dosage and injection sites.
2. Aerobic activity is best suited to use calories, promote weight reduction, and metabolize blood glucose efficiently. Diabetics can control their blood sugar levels with exercise that is predictable and consistent in duration, intensity and frequency.
3. Obese type II diabetics should follow programs for non-diabetic obese clients, which include low-impact, low intensity aerobic exercise 3-5 per week.
4. Diabetics who use insulin should not inject it into the limbs they are about to exercise. The increased circulation in the exercised extremity may cause the insulin to absorb quickly enough to bring on hypoglycemia.
5. Exercising in weather extremes could affect insulin absorption. Cold weather may slow insulin absorption, and hot weather may speed up insulin absorption.
6. Ingest a complex carbohydrate snack before exercising to help avoid a hypoglycemic reaction during exercise. If the aerobic exercise duration exceeds 30 minutes, a carbohydrate snack could be ingested every 30 minutes. Juice or crackers work well in this situation.
7. Have easily digestible carbohydrates, juice or candy on hand in case you experience hypoglycemia.
8. Strength and flexibility exercises should be included according to your functional capacity.
9. If you experience complications such as neuropathy (nerve damage) and peripheral circulation damage refer to your physician.
10. Diabetic clients must take responsibility for there own care, including monitoring blood sugars, taking recommended insulin, eating properly, exercising regularly, and keeping medical appointments.