General Exercise Guidelines for Diabetics...

General Exercise Guidelines for Diabetics…

Always consult your Physician before beginning an exercise program!!

1. Proper footwear is essential. Check your feet before and after exercise for lesions. Use silica gel or air mid-soles in shoes, and polyester or poly-cotton blend socks in order to minimize trauma to the feet.

2. Self-glucose monitoring before and after exercise.

3. Longer warm up and cool down, with an emphasis on flexibility.

4. Non-weight bearing activities may be the best choice, pool or bike.

5. Non-insulin dependent – Lower intensity, longer duration, increased frequency of exercise.

6. Insulin dependent – multiple, short sessions.

7. Use Rating of Perceived Exertion to determine intensity, not pulse rate, due to:

Medications – if taking Beta Blockers
Neuropathy and chronotropic insufficiency.

8. Avoid excessive heat.

9. Exercising late in the evening may result in “nocturnal” hypoglycemia.

Absolute contraindications to exercise:
Over 240mg/dl
No clearance from Physician to begin, or continue.
Not able to self-monitor blood-glucose levels.

Exercise has an insulin like effect, therefore be aware of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can occur during exercise, 4 – 6 hours post exercise, or even 24 – 48 hours post exercise.

Precautions for minimizing risk include:
Monitor blood-glucose frequently at start of a new program
Decrease insulin dose of increase carbohydrate intake prior to exercise (as per the Doctor’s orders)
Insulin injection in nonactive muscle site, e.g. Abs not Legs
No exercise during PEAK insulin activity period.
Eat carb snacks before and during long sessions, should be readily available.
Know signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Close supervision by Doctor, Personal Trainer and especially, yourself.

This is in no way intended to replace any medical advice you have already, or may receive. Always follow your Doctor's orders, guidelines and restrictions. Always check with your Physician before beginning any exercise program.