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Experts recommend that teenagers exercise for 60 or more minutes every day. Exercise has many benefits. It reduces the risk of illness and increases energy. Exercising also improves mood and makes for a better night’s sleep. But everyone is different. Teenagers with type-2 diabetes have different recommendations for exercise. Strength training helps people with Type 2 diabetes manage the disease.
Diabetes
Food contains sugars that the body breaks down to produce energy. The body releases a substance called insulin to help in this process. Insulin helps move the sugar molecules into the body’s cells, so the concentration of sugar in the blood stream remains within an acceptable range. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas, the organ in the body that produces and releases insulin, does not work well. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas is working well, but the body does not use insulin properly. This condition causes an increase in the amount of sugar in the blood. People with type 2 diabetes are encouraged to exercise because it can help their body use insulin properly. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends two types of physical activity for people with diabetes: aerobic exercise and strength training.
Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercise helps decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes and help those with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels. These exercises also strengthen the heart, so they improve a person’s fitness. The ADA recommends 30 minutes of moderate or vigorous exercise at least five days a week. Examples of aerobic exercise include dancing, hiking, brisk walking, and moderate gardening.
Strength Training
Strength training also helps people with diabetes manage the disease and improve sugar control. Additionally, strength training helps them gain muscle, lose body fat, feel less depressed, and gain confidence. The ADA recommends strength training at least twice a week. Examples of strength training activities include doing push-ups, sit-ups, weightlifting, and heavy gardening. It is important for individuals to make smart decisions about exercise.
QUESTION
What health benefits does strength training and aerobic exercise have on people with type 2 diabetes?
