Sports for diabetics

There are many potential health benefits from exercise for a diabetic patient , in addition to reducing the risk of diabetes complications. Therefore, exercise, along with a healthy diet, is the basis for managing type 2 diabetes and has led many individuals to reduce the need for medications. Know In this article on the best exercise for diabetics and the potential health benefits.

Sports for diabetics

Exercising for a diabetic patient is associated with many benefits, as it helps in:

• Reducing insulin resistance and improving insulin action.
• Regulating blood sugar levels and reducing feelings of hunger.
• Reducing stress, stress and anxiety.
• Reducing the need to take medications in some cases.

Exercising for a diabetic patient helps prevent or delay the occurrence of diabetes complications, as it reduces the risk of heart and arterial diseases. It also helps burn excess fat in the body and control the level of glucose in the blood.

Benefits of exercise for diabetics

Exercising for a diabetic patient is part of the treatment plan, as managing diabetes, in addition to drug treatment, depends on changing the lifestyle, which is represented by following a healthy, low-carbohydrate diet and exercising regularly, knowing that changing the lifestyle has led many patients to reduce the dose. Medication used or complete dispensing of medication.

It is important to monitor blood sugar levels before, during and after exercise for a diabetic patient, in order to monitor the body’s response to exercise. Among the benefits of exercise for diabetics are :

• Improving the hemoglobin test rate (HbA1c) in patients with type 2 diabetes.
• Helping the body use insulin better by increasing insulin sensitivity. 
• Improving blood cholesterol levels and this helps reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Controlling blood pressure, which helps reduce the risk of diabetes complications.
• Get rid of excess weight and maintain a healthy weight. 
• Providing the body with energy and activity. 
• Regulate sleep and get rid of insomnia.
• Maintaining body fitness and flexibility.
• Improving blood circulation in the body.

The best sport for diabetics

Diabetics are advised to do aerobic exercise, such as:

• Walking.
• Jogging.
• tennis.
• Skiing.
• Blasphemy.
• Jump rope.
• Swimming.
• Dance.
• Bike riding.
• basketball.

As for other types of sports, they are less beneficial for diabetics, such as: horse riding, golf, football, volleyball, and bowling. The best sports for diabetics are:

1. Walking

Walking on a daily basis helps maintain the fitness and flexibility of the body and stay active, as walking daily enhances weight control and protects against complications of diabetes on the heart and blood vessels.

2. Cycling

Cycling helps reduce blood sugar levels and reduce the symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes.

3. Resistance exercises

Studies have shown that resistance exercises help diabetics: 

• Increase muscle mass.
• Improves insulin resistance.

If you are a beginner, you should start using light weights and body bands.

4. High intensity exercises

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is doing a set of exercises in the shortest possible time by multiplying the effort by doing a 20-minute exercise session. This helps improve metabolism and insulin sensitivity with type 2 diabetes.

Exercise tips for diabetics

A diabetic patient should start exercising slowly and then gradually increase the number of times. He should exercise for at least half an hour, 5 days a week, or according to the doctor’s instructions. It is possible to divide the exercise period into several parts. For example, a diabetic patient can divide half an hour into three sessions, each of which is 10 minutes long. In order to maintain the safety of a diabetic patient while exercising, the following tips must be followed:

• Check your blood sugar level before exercising to avoid low blood sugar.
• Exercising under the supervision of a doctor in advanced cases of disease such as:

1. If the blood sugar level is higher than 250 mg/dl and ketones appear, the patient should postpone exercise until the blood sugar level becomes less than 250 mg/dl.
2. If your blood sugar level is less than 100 mg/dL, it is necessary to eat a light meal before starting exercise.

• Check your feet for sores or blisters before and after any physical activity
• It is preferable to exercise after eating a meal for a period ranging from 30 minutes to one hour.
• Drink water before, during and after physical activity
• Allocate 5-10 minutes before and after exercise for warm-up and cool-down exercises.
• Checking the blood sugar level after exercising, because exercise leads to lowering blood sugar for an entire day in some people.
• Carry an identification card indicating that the patient has diabetes

Some tips also help in adhering to exercise for diabetics, such as:

• Exercising with another person is helpful in increasing enthusiasm and commitment to exercise.
• Practice your favorite sport. This helps in avoiding boredom and withdrawal from exercise
• Setting a specific program for exercise times helps program the subconscious mind to do the exercise.
• Setting small, achievable goals, such as walking a specific number of steps or riding a bike for a specific purpose, helps motivate you to keep going.

Exercising for diabetics leads to many health benefits, as it helps control blood sugar levels, reduces insulin resistance, helps in getting rid of excess weight, and maintaining an ideal weight. In addition, it helps in controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which is beneficial. To prevent complications associated with diabetes in the long term.