Strength Training and Diabetes
Diabetes affects the lives of an estimated 1.2 million Australians with around 280 more developing diabetes every day. Being this common, it is likely you know someone whose life is affected by it.
Diabetes is a condition where the body cannot self-regulate its blood sugar levels appropriately. Over time, high levels of sugar within the bloodstream can lead to an increased risk of developing heart problems, stroke, and blindness through damaging our blood vessels and nerves.
Tailored and frequent exercise, both strength training and cardiovascular, can prevent diabetes from developing and target key factors which contribute to it including improving the body’s insulin sensitivity, improving muscle mass, and stabilising blood sugar levels. Just 30 minutes of exercise daily has been found to reduce the risk of developing diabetes for those at risk by 40%!
As a life-long condition, it is important to be well informed on how to best monitor and manage the condition. Physiotherapy can help provide you with these targeted exercises, monitor your progress, and help you return to the activities you enjoy most.
If you or someone you know has diabetes and is unsure about how to get started with exercise or the types of exercises that will help them most, why not get in contact with the clinic for an assessment and discussion on what physiotherapy can offer.