National Diabetes Week runs from 14 – 20 July, 2024 and at Diabetes Australia they “want a future where diabetes can do no harm.” This year’s theme is to shine a light on the impact of diabetes technology and what needs to be done to improve access for all those in need.
Diabetes is a metabolic condition that is characterised by high levels of glucose in the blood due to an inability to (1) use insulin or (2) defects in insulin secretion. The 3 main types of diabetes are type 2, type 1 and gestational. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, in 2021 – 1.3 million (1 in 20) Australians were living with diabetes and in 2022 diabetes contributed to 11% of all deaths Australia wide. Diabetes can increase the risk of other chronic health conditions (e.g., cardiovascular disease) and health complications (e.g., kidney disease). There are a number of modifiable behavioural risk factors such as: poor diet and insufficient physical activity/exercise.
For patients with or at risk of developing T2DM, exercise is an indispensable intervention as part of any treatment plan and here are some reasons as to why:
- Delayed progression of the disease – reduce negative short- and long-term impact of diabetes.
- Improved quality of life and psychological well-being – feel better and maintain function.
- Better control of blood sugar (which can lead to a reduction of T2DM medication) through glucose uptake by the muscles.
- Decreased risk of onset of associated diseases and complications such as heart, kidney and eye diseases.
People with T2DM should aim to build up to a minimum of 210 minutes of moderate intensity or 125 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise each week using a combination of both resistance and aerobic exercises, with no more than 2 consecutive days without exercising. There are a variety of exercise styles that can be implemented to achieve these recommended targets such as:
- HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) – which is safe in older adults with an increased cardio metabolic health risk and is superior to MICT (Moderate Intensity Continuous Training) for improving cardiorespiratory fitness.
- Resistance Training (RT) – improves endurance and muscular strength, and significantly reduces high blood pressure and insulin resistance.
- Combined training = RT + HIIT – has a clinically meaningful increase in cardiorespiratory fitness & muscular strength (which results in a protective effect against risk of developing T2DM).
Mastering Diabetes Class
One thing that is well known is that exercise is easier (and sometimes more fun) when you aren’t on your own. As part of our ever-expanding services, we have launched our Mastering Diabetes Class which will incorporate weekly exercise and education in a 60-minute session. Exercise and education programs with patients at risk of or with T2DM should be planned and delivered by appropriately trained and qualified personnel such as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and is recommended by Diabetes Australia in their National Evidence Based Guideline for Patient Education in T2DM.
AEPs are university qualified professionals and can be part of a multidisciplinary team to help deliver group education and exercise programs for diabetics. AEPs are equipped with the knowledge to design safe and effective exercise programs for people living with, or at risk of developing diabetes. AEPs play a pivotal role in managing diabetes by designing personalised exercise programs that help control blood glucose levels. They understand the unique physiological responses to exercise in individuals with diabetes and use this knowledge to create safe and effective routines.
What you need to know about our Mastering Diabetes Class:
- Conducted over 8 weeks
- Supported by Medicare (rebates available with GP referral)
- Structured progressive strength and aerobic training program with an educational component.
- Tailored to individual fitness level and status/need of their diabetes education.
- Comprehensive assessment at the beginning and end of the program.
- Educational components cover a range of topics including: BGL monitoring – responses to exercise, weight management and goal setting.
- Long-term goal is to empower you to manage your diabetes, reduce dependency on medication, and improve overall quality of life.
To assist in accountability, we utilise a free exercise software program called Physitrack, which can be downloaded to your smart phone or tablet, which gives you the ability to message your therapist directly with feedback about your exercises. It ensures that you can begin exercising on your own; safely and effectively.
If you want to exercise or know someone who does but aren’t sure how to get started. Start the process with an appointment with your GP to discuss your eligibility and then book an appointment with one of our AEPs today for your initial assessment. By participating in Mastering Diabetes, we can help show you how to use exercise in the management of diabetes and start enjoying the physical, psychological and social benefits.
