There are two main types of diabetes, type I and
type II. Type I diabetes is characterized by the pancreas making too
little or no insulin. An individual with diabetes type I will have to
inject insulin throughout the day in order to control glucose levels.
Type II diabetes, also known as adult onset diabetes, is characterized
by the pancreas not producing enough insulin to control glucose levels
or the cells not responding to insulin. When a cell does not respond to
insulin, it is known as insulin resistance. When a subject is diagnosed
with type II diabetes, exercise and weight control are prescribed as
measures to help with insulin resistance. If this does not control
glucose levels, then medication is prescribed. The risk factors for type
II diabetes include: inactivity, high cholesterol, obesity, and
hypertension. Inactivity alone is a very strong risk factor that has
been proven to lead to diabetes type II. Exercise will have a positive
effect on diabetes type II while improving insulin sensitivity while
type I cannot be controlled be an exercise program. Over 90% of
individuals with diabetes have type II.
Exercise causes the body to process glucose faster, which lowers
blood sugar. The more intense the exercise, the faster the body will
utilize glucose. Therefore it is important to understand the differences
in training with type I and type II diabetes. It is important for an
individual who has diabetes to check with a physician before beginning
an exercise program. When training with a diabetic, it is important to
understand the dangers of injecting insulin immediately prior to
exercise. An individual with type I diabetes injecting their normal
amount of insulin for a sedentary situation can pose the risk of
hypoglycemia or insulin shock during exercise. General exercise
guidelines for type I are as follows: allow adequate rest during
exercise sessions to prevent high blood pressure, use low impact
exercises and avoid heavy weight lifting, and always have a supply of
carbohydrates nearby. If blood sugar levels get too low, the individual
may feel shaky, disoriented, hungry, anxious, become irritable or
experience trembling. Consuming a carbohydrate snack or beverage will
alleviate these symptoms in a matter of minutes.
Before engaging in exercise, it is important for blood sugar levels
to be tested to make sure that they are not below 80 to 100 mg/dl range
and not above 250 mg/dl. Glucose levels should also be tested before,
during, after and three to five hours after exercise. During this
recovery period (3-5 hours after exercise), it is important for
diabetics to consume ample carbohydrates in order to prevent
hypoglycemia.
Exercise will greatly benefit an individual with type II diabetes
because of its positive effects on insulin sensitivity. Proper exercise
and nutrition are the best forms of prevention for type II diabetics. It
is important for training protocols to be repeated almost daily to help
with sustaining insulin sensitivity. To prevent hypoglycemia,
progressively work up to strenuous activity.
As with individuals with type I diabetes, carbohydrates should also
be present during training to assist in raising blood sugar levels if
the individual becomes low.
