New research shows positive effects of exercise on diabetes patients
National Diabetes Week: 12-18 July
July 14, 2015
It’s no secret that regular physical activity plays a key role in keeping us healthy and minimising our risk of morbidity, but recent research findings* from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have gone one step further and shown exercise amongst Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients not only decreases waist size and body fat, but can also control crucial blood glucose levels.
Exercise & Sports Science Australia Executive Officer Anita Hobson-Powell said with National Diabetes Week taking place between 12 and 18 July across Australia, the findings provided a timely reminder for both diabetes patients and the broader population to get active.
“The research found that regardless of whether T2DM patients participated in aerobic exercise, resistance training or a combination of the two styles, those who exercised recorded improvements in health, in contrast to those who did not participate in any physical activity,” Ms Hobson-Powell said.
“This research is particularly encouraging and reinforces the idea that we don’t have to follow a one-size-fits-all approach to physical activity to reap the health benefits.”
“While some people may find participating in a group run at a local park enjoyable, others may prefer to tackle the rowing machine at the gym. Whatever your personal choice may be, the good news is that a range of activities can provide health benefits — as long as you’re doing something!”
“It’s not rocket science, the research will keep telling us the same things but what’s required is for people to act on the findings and change their habits. If you think about exercise as a means of increase your life expectancy and therefore giving you more time with kids and grandkids, that’s when you realise it’s not just about the theory.”
Ms Hobson-Powell said one of the most significant research findings was that haemoglobin A1c levels — which assist in identifying average blood glucose levels over time — improved in diabetic patients that exercised as part of the study.
“Lower amounts of haemoglobin A1c generally indicate better control of blood glucose levels and have been shown to minimise the risk of many of the complications commonly associated with diabetes,” Ms Hobson-Powell said.
“These include conditions such as macrovascular disease (disease of the large blood vessels), retinopathy (damaged blood vessels inside the retina), and kidney disease.”
Ms Hobson-Powell said it was not just T2DM patients that could benefit from regular physical activity.
“Physical inactivity and poor dietary habits are risk factors for a broad range of chronic conditions, so it’s critical that all Australians incorporate an exercise regime and healthy eating plan into their lifestyle to minimise their chances of developing a potentially life-threatening illness,” Ms Hobson-Powell said.
“According to the Physical Activity & Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines released by the Department of Health**, adults should accumulate 150-300 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous intensity physical activity each week.”
To get in touch with an accredited exercise physiologist who can create a customised exercise program for you and your family or to find out more tips for incorporating physical activity into your day, please visit www.essa.org.au.
Fast facts***
• Each day, approximately 280 Australians develop some form of diabetes.
• It is estimated that around 1.7 million Australians are presently living with diabetes.
• The total annual cost impact of T2DM in Australia is estimated at $14.6 billion.
• T2DM accounts for 85 per cent of all diabetes and is increasing.
• More than 100,000 Australians have developed diabetes in the past year.
• In 2013, diabetes was responsible for 5.1 million deaths globally.
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Media contact
Kristen Roder, Fresh PR & Marketing
P: 0406 546 461
E: kristen@freshprm.com.au
Sources
*Ambarish Pandey, Damon L. Swift, Darren K. McGuire, Colby R. Ayers, Ian J. Neeland, Steven N. Blair, Neil Johannsen, Conrad P. Earnest, Jarett D. Berry, and Timothy S. Church. Metabolic Effects of Exercise Training Among Fitness Nonresponsive Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: The HART-D Study. Diabetes Care, June 2015 DOI: 10.2337/dc14-2378.
**2014, Department of Health, Australia’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines, http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/health-pubhlth-strateg-phys-act-guidelines.
***2015, Diabetes Australia, Key Messages and Statistics, https://static.diabetesaustralia.com.au/s/fileassets/diabetes-australia/8cbf86a4-4db5-4935-90b8-f4906aef0b34.pdf.
About ESSA
Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) is the peak professional body for exercise and sports science in Australia and provides national leadership and advocacy on key issues. It supports its 4,500-plus members and the community through fostering excellence in professional practice, education, training and research.
Website: www.essa.org.au
Official media spokesperson for this release
Anita Hobson-Powell
Executive Officer, Exercise & Sports Science Australia
E: Anita.Hobson-Powell@essa.org.au
P: 07 3862 4122
M: 0400 519 800
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