Question

Nurses should encourage exercise for those with diabetes? What should patients with diabetes be taught about exercise?

Answer 1

A standard recommendation for diabetic patients, is that exercise includes a proper warm-up and cool-down period. A warm-up should consist of 5–10 min of aerobic activity at a low-intensity level. The warm-up session is to prepare the skeletal muscles, heart, and lungs for a progressive increase in exercise intensity. After a short warm-up, muscles should be gently stretched for another 5–10 min. Primarily, the muscles used during the active exercise session should be stretched, but warming up all muscle groups is optimal.  Proper hydration is also essential, as dehydration can effect blood glucose levels and heart function adversely. Exercise in heat requires special attention to maintaining hydration. Adequate hydration prior to exercise is recommended.

Start with walking for 30 minutes everyday 4-5 times a week and gradually increase to 45 mins everyday 5 times a week. This would take care of your blood glucose levels. Do yoga to improve your glycemic control and improve you rmetabolism. Precautions should be taken when exercising in extremely hot or cold environments. High-resistance exercise using weights may be acceptable for young individuals with diabetes, but not for older individuals or those with long-standing diabetes. Moderate weight training programs that utilize light weights and high repetitions can be used for maintaining or enhancing upper body strength in nearly all patients with diabetes.