Library : Year 2 | Session 5: Wellness Through Understanding--Overweight, Diabetes, Hypertension
Notes from ACSM’s book on Exercising with Chronic Conditions
“Diabetes can be described as a chronic metabolic disease characterized by an absolute or relative deficiency of insulin resulting in hyperglycemia. Individuals with diabetes are at risk for developing microvascular complications including retinography and nephropathy, macrovascular disease, and various neuropathies (both autonomic and peripheral ).” Generally, the hormone responsible for the absorption of glucose into cells for their energy needs and into the liver and fat cells for storage, malfunctions. The level of glucose in the blood becomes abnormally high, causing thirst, weight loss and fatigue. Accelerated degeneration of small blood vessels may follow. Several forms of diabetes exist, and they may be divided into the following major classifications:
Exercise is generally considered to be one of the most important therapies of diabetes care, although response is not in the normal manner. The effect depends upon a number of factors, such as medication, blood glucose level, intake of food, diabetic complications, intensity/duration/type of exercise. However, benefits may include these:
The exercise prescription must be individualized according to medication schedule, presence/severity of diabetic complications and goals/expected benefits.
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