Diabetes Health in the News Podcast: Do Patients Need a Prescription for Exercise?

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According to Portuguese researchers, type 2 diabetes patients need exercise “prescriptions” to better manage their disease. These prescriptions need to include the type of exercise, intensity, duration, and the frequency of workouts. Additionally, these recommendations need to be adapted to each individual, rather than providing a blanket suggestion to exercise.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that requires lifelong management with regular exercise and healthy eating habits. Despite knowing that exercise can improve insulin sensitivity, blood sugar control, and cholesterol levels, many people still aren’t getting enough exercise.

Guidelines state that people with type 2 diabetes should work out for at least 150 minutes per week. This should include moderate or vigorous aerobic exercise, including running, brisk walking, swimming, and cycling. Resistance exercise like flexibility training is also recommended twice per week.

These findings were published in British Journal of Sports Medicine on December 30, 2015.

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