Type I diabetes is a disease that affects your body's ability
to use sugars, starches, fats and proteins. Because your body
needs various fuels for energy, this disease disrupts normal
energy metabolism both at rest and during physical exercise.
Our bodies normally change sugars and starches into a usable
form called glucose, which is carried to various tissues. For
glucose to enter skeletal muscle, insulin (a hormone produced by
the pancreas) must be present. Once glucose enters the body's
muscle cells, it can be broken down and used for energy or
stored for later use.
Individuals with type I diabetes are unable to produce enough
insulin for this process to occur. Consequently, glucose is
unable to enter muscle cells and builds up in the blood.
Because type I diabetics have insufficient insulin
production, daily insulin injections are required to maintain
glucose levels as close to normal as possible. Thus, type I
diabetics are insulin dependent.
It is imperative for type I diabetics to regulate their
glucose levels to help reduce the onset of complications from
this disease. If glucose levels go unchecked for extended
periods, type I diabetics are very susceptible to heart disease,
kidney failure, blindness and nerve dysfunction. Therefore, type
I diabetics must be careful about the quantity and quality of
foods that are eaten, as well as the physical activity that is
performed.
How Does Exercise Help?
Because exercise uses glucose for movement, it is an excellent
way to maintain stable levels of glucose. Exercise cannot
normalize glucose levels, but it can effectively counteract
elevated levels that occur after eating. For type I diabetics,
exercise does not regulate glucose to normal levels. However,
exercise acts very much like insulin on skeletal muscle cells,
so the amount of insulin injected for controlling glucose can be
lowered in type I diabetics who exercise. Also, many
health-related benefits of physical activity (e.g., lowering
blood pressure, favorable lipid and lipoprotein changes, body
weight maintenance) are part of the exercise therapy.
What Exercise Is Recommended?
Type I diabetics should exercise a minimum of four to five times
per week at a low-to-moderate intensity, for about 30 to 40
minutes. Most activities are recommended for type I diabetics
unless medical complications prohibit such activities.
In addition to aerobic exercise, it is important for type I
diabetics to engage in strength training and flexibility
exercises as well.
What Are The Precautions?
Type I diabetics should monitor their glucose before and after
exercise to understand how they respond to certain types of
exercise. Also, exercising with a partner and wearing an ID
bracelet indicating one's diabetic condition are important.
Because type I diabetics are at risk for low glucose levels
(referred to as hypoglycemia), they should also carry with them
food that is high in carbohydrates in case energy is needed.
Finally, type I diabetics should see their physician
regularly to minimize the onset of diabetic complications. If
complications of the eye, kidney or heart are present, it is
important that their physicians give clear boundaries regarding
the intensity of any physical activity.
