Module 4: But I don't like to exercise…
People do not need to undertake vigorous physical activity to benefit. Encourage people with diabetes to include physical activity in their work or school day as well as in their leisure time. And encourage regular and ongoing physical activity since with inactivity the benefits can quickly diminish. In this module, the terms physical activity and exercise are used interchangeably.
A medical assessment is recommended for people who have been sedentary and plan to start any activity that is more than a brisk walk. The Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) recommends that people who are at risk of cardiovascular disease have an exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) stress test done prior to starting a program.4 As well people should be assessed for conditions such as severe autonomic neuropathy, severe peripheral neuropathy, and pre-proliferative and proliferative retinopathy, that might contraindicate certain types of exercise or predispose to injury.
Objectives
You have completed this module when you are able to:
- Identify the benefits of physical activity and exercise for people with diabetes;
- Identify the effect of physical activity on blood glucose;
- Explain aerobic exercise;
- Explain resistance exercise;
- Identify lifestyle changes that can contribute to increasing activity levels;
- Explain recommendations for aerobic and resistance exercise for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes;
- Identify three key elements in staying safe and physical activity;
- Explain how to compensate for increased exercise/activity when taking insulin or oral diabetes medications; and
- Discuss how to help people get started to increase physical activity.
To enhance your learning, you may also wish to refer to the "Lifestyle changes
and the management of obesity" section of the Canadian Pharmacists Journal''s supplement on Diabetes. (CPJ 2009;142[SUPPL 1])