Type 1 Diabetes and Exercise
Longevity Exercise Physiology Drummoyne, Edgecliff, Marrickville, Bella Vista, Randwick, Lindfield and Balmain today discuss type 1 diabetes and how exercise can be an effective management tool.
Type 1 Diabetes as defined by Diabetes Australia is an ‘autoimmune condition in which the immune system is activated to destroy the cells in the pancreas which produce insulin. We do not know what causes the autoimmune reaction’.
Diabetes Australia lists the common factors that are associated with Type 1 Diabetes:
- Occurs when the pancreas do not produce insulin
- Represents about 10% of all cases of diabetes
- The onset is usually abrupt
- Symptoms can include excessive thirst and urination, unexplained weight loss, weakness, fatigue and blurred vision
What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?
The main difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is that type 1 diabetes is not associated with being a lifestyle condition, and type 2 is. Type 2 diabetes has modifiable risk factors such as excess weight, poor diet and sedentary lifestyle. Type 1 diabetes also has a strong family history.
Exercise has been recommended to aid management of Type 1 diabetes, as often there are other secondary health conditions associated with it.
Exercise has been recommended to aid management of Type 1 diabetes, as often there are other secondary health conditions associated with it. Wu et al, suggests from research that exercise plays a role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease for those with type 1. Exercise can reduce cardiovascular disease risk such as by improving aerobic fitness, HbA1c (blood glucose marker), insulin dosage, and lipid profile. As we know, being sedentary with any chronic health condition unfortunately leads to poor long-term health, so it’s invaluable to change exercise and lifestyle habits.
It’s important to continually monitor your blood glucose levels especially before and after physical activity. Physical activity can affect your blood glucose levels and it’s important to be aware of them to avoid a hyper or hypoglycaemia attack when exercising. Speak to your GP about how to monitor your blood glucose and how to stay safe when exercising, and one of our exercise physiologists can tailor a program for you to manage your diabetes and other health concerns.
Contact Longevity Personal Training and Exercise Physiology Edgecliff, Lindfield, Marrickville, Randwick, Drummoyne, Balmain, Bella Vista on 1300 964 002 to enquire today.
References
Diabetes Australia, Type 1 Diabetes, Diabetes Australia, Retrieved on 02/12/2020, https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/about-diabetes/type-1-diabetes/
Wu, N., Bredin, S., Guan, Y., Dickinson, K., Kim, D., Chua, Z., Kaufman, K., Warburton, D., (2019). Cardiovascular Health Benefits of Exercise Training in Persons Living with Type 1 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 8, (2), 253.
Written by Susannah Mah-Chut
