How does exercise help to manage blood sugar levels?

What does exercise do to your blood sugar levels?

What happens to your blood sugar levels when you exercise?

 

Today, Longevity Exercise Physiology Drummoyne, Edgecliff, Marrickville, Bella Vista, Randwick, Pymble, Balmain, Neutral Bay and Coburg, Melbourne, discuss blood sugar, exercise and diabetes.

To understand the relationship between blood sugar levels and exercise we must first understand some science.

Blood sugar levels or blood glucose levels are the level of sugar/glucose present in the blood. Glucose is a simple version of sugar which comes from the food we eat and is one of the body’s main sources of energy. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the metabolism of food helping glucose in your blood enter cells in your body for energy.

Working muscles and cells use glucose for energy, to function effectively, and to fuel physical activity whether insulin is available or not, hence, blood glucose levels can significantly drop during and after exercise.

Physical activity may cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate due to various factors such as frequency, intensity, time, and type of exercise. Normally, the body can regulate and maintain balanced blood sugar levels, however conditions such as Diabetes alter this occurrence.

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases characterised by an inability to produce sufficient amounts of the hormone insulin or to use insulin properly, resulting in elevations in blood glucose.

Understanding how to maintain healthy blood sugar levels and exercise is vital for individuals with diabetes and this is where Longevity Exercise Physiologists can help.

Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle for all; however, exercise is a vital component of blood sugar level/diabetes management and an effective treatment for glucose control. Exercise results in an increased sensitivity to insulin. It causes your muscle cells to take up more glucose, leaving less of it circulating in your bloodstream during and after physical activity, therefore, lowering blood sugar levels.

Longevity EP’s provide specific, individually tailored exercise prescription such as cardiorespiratory and resistance exercise. Regular, long-term exercise enhances metabolic control of glucose, as well as improvements in high blood pressure, blood lipids, body composition/weight loss/weight maintenance, and psychological well-being. Aerobic training and resistance training variables for cardiovascular function and strength are critical in lowering overall blood glucose levels. Because of this, exercise offers enormous benefit to patients with diabetes.

 

 

 

 

How can Longevity EP’s help keep your blood sugar in control?

• Provide professional exercise prescription and delivery
• Provide advice on improving diet
• Offer specialised self-monitoring techniques for exercise adherence and glucose control

Our practitioners offer the highest quality service in exercise professions to optimise our client’s overall health and wellbeing long-term.

If you or someone you know is interested in exercise, is pre-diabetic, diabetic, or struggling with blood glucose control and/or other conditions, Longevity Exercise Physiologists are here to help. Call Longevity Exercise Physiology Drummoyne, Edgecliff, Marrickville, Bella Vista, Randwick, Pymble, Balmain, Neutral Bay and Coburg, Melbourne, on 1300 964 002 to enquire today!

 

Written By Matt Skelly

 

References:

Kumar, A. S., Maiya, A. G., Shastry, B. A., Vaishali, K., Ravishankar, N., Hazari, A., Gundmi, S., Jadhav, J.(2019). Exercise and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 62(2), 98-103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rehab.2018.11.001.

Madden, K. M. (2013). Evidence for the benefit of exercise therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes, Metabolic syndrome and Obesity, 6, 233-239. DOI: 10.2147/DMSO.S32951.

Tan, S., Li, W., & Wang, J. (2012). Effects of six months of combined aerobic and resistance training for elderly patients with a long history of type 2 diabetes. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 11(3), 495-501.

Wang, W., Huang, M., & Wang, J. (2021). The effect of physical exercise on blood sugar control in diabetic patients. Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte, 27(3), 311-314. https://doi.org/10.1590/1517-8692202127032021_0103.

Zisser, H., Gong, P., Kelley, C. M., Seidman, J. S., & Riddell, M. C. (2011). Exercise and diabetes. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 65, 71-75. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-1241.2010.02581.x