>Home>Questions>Strength Training for Diabetics

Strength Training for Diabetics

Don't Let Diabetes Stop You

Hi, it’s wonderful that you have such an entertaining and educational site. I really enjoy the fitness parts. I was wondering after hearing something around the gym.

I have Type II diabetes. What are the possible rehab protocols with regards to strength training?

Sadhana

---

I found an excellent article for you to read on the American Diabetes Association website: The Fitness Forum - Strength Training, The Misunderstood Form of Exercise by Joel B. Braunstein, MD.

To quote Dr. Braunstein, “By reducing one's total body fat mass and increasing one's lean muscle mass, strength training has a strong influence on our bodies' response to insulin and glucose levels. Greater lean body mass improves glucose metabolism, which protects against the development of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a risk factor for diabetes.

It's also strongly associated with abnormal cholesterol levels, heart disease, and some forms of cancer. Thus, strength training improves your ability to regulate blood sugar levels and respond to type 2 pills and insulin therapies. Plus, new research demonstrates that strength training improves blood pressure levels and heart health in ways that are unrelated to glucose metabolism.”

Further he advises, “In the absence of long-term diabetes complications, the general principles of safe and effective strength training are similar for individuals both with and without diabetes.

Health benefits from strength training may surface with as little as 15 to 20 minutes of mild-moderate intensity activity per week!

If you experience unpredictable variations in blood sugar levels after exercise, more frequent, regular activity may help you make adjustments to your day-to-day caloric and insulin needs.”

You may also be interested in two articles I just finished: The Antiaging Benefits of Exercise and Antiaging Workouts.

But before you start anything, talk to your doctor and follow his advice.

Thank you for your kind comments about my website.

This article is for information only. It does not purport to offer medical advice.  

| Top | Questions | Home |