| There are two main types of diabetes, type I | | | | amount of insulin for a sedentary situation |
| and type II. Type I diabetes is characterized | | | | can pose the risk of hypoglycemia or insulin |
| by the pancreas making too little or no | | | | shock during exercise. General exercise |
| insulin. An individual with diabetes type I | | | | guidelines for type I are as follows: allow |
| will have to inject insulin throughout the | | | | adequate rest during exercise sessions to |
| day in order to control glucose levels. Type | | | | prevent high blood pressure, use low impact |
| II diabetes, also known as adult onset | | | | exercises and avoid heavy weight lifting, and |
| diabetes, is characterized by the pancreas | | | | always have a supply of carbohydrates nearby. |
| not producing enough insulin to control | | | | If blood sugar levels get too low, the |
| glucose levels or the cells not responding to | | | | individual may feel shaky, disoriented, |
| insulin. When a cell does not respond to | | | | hungry, anxious, become irritable or |
| insulin, it is known as insulin resistance. | | | | experience trembling. Consuming a |
| When a subject is diagnosed with type II | | | | carbohydrate snack or beverage will alleviate |
| diabetes, exercise and weight control are | | | | these symptoms in a matter of minutes. |
| prescribed as measures to help with insulin | | | | |
| resistance. If this does not control glucose | | | | Before engaging in exercise, it is important |
| levels, then medication is prescribed. The | | | | for blood sugar levels to be tested to make |
| risk factors for type II diabetes include: | | | | sure that they are not below 80 to 100 mg/dl |
| inactivity, high cholesterol, obesity, and | | | | range and not above 250 mg/dl. Glucose levels |
| hypertension. Inactivity alone is a very | | | | should also be tested before, during, after |
| strong risk factor that has been proven to | | | | and three to five hours after exercise. |
| lead to diabetes type II. Exercise will have | | | | During this recovery period (3-5 hours after |
| a positive effect on diabetes type II while | | | | exercise), it is important for diabetics to |
| improving insulin sensitivity while type I | | | | consume ample carbohydrates in order to |
| cannot be controlled be an exercise program. | | | | prevent hypoglycemia. |
| Over 90% of individuals with diabetes have | | | | |
| type II. | | | | Exercise will greatly benefit an individual |
| | | | with type II diabetes because of its positive |
| Exercise causes the body to process glucose | | | | effects on insulin sensitivity. Proper |
| faster, which lowers blood sugar. The more | | | | exercise and nutrition are the best forms of |
| intense the exercise, the faster the body | | | | prevention for type II diabetics. It is |
| will utilize glucose. Therefore it is | | | | important for training protocols to be |
| important to understand the differences in | | | | repeated almost daily to help with sustaining |
| training with type I and type II diabetes. It | | | | insulin sensitivity. To prevent hypoglycemia, |
| is important for an individual who has | | | | progressively work up to strenuous activity. |
| diabetes to check with a physician before | | | | |
| beginning an exercise program. When training | | | | As with individuals with type I diabetes, |
| with a diabetic, it is important to | | | | carbohydrates should also be present during |
| understand the dangers of injecting insulin | | | | training to assist in raising blood sugar |
| immediately prior to exercise. An individual | | | | levels if the individual becomes low. |
| with type I diabetes injecting their normal | | | | |