Physical Activity and Its Impact on Diabetes

The current wave of the diabetes epidemic has become a global public health issue. Multiple strategies have been studied in trying to curb the menace and promising among these is lifestyle intervention which includes regular physical activity. During physical activity there is an accelerated utilization of substrates particularly stored triglycerides by the muscles thereby improving insulin sensitivity and this is valuable in the prevention of diabetes. On prolonged exercise blood glucose is derived from the breakdown of glycogen and from non carbohydrate substrates via gluconeogenesis. Exercise has a positive effect on diabetes co-morbidities e.g. obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia as well as all-cause mortality. Regular physical activity mediates molecular events in the various pathways of diabetic complications like exerting anti-inflammatory effects to combat the chronic subclinical inflammation, fortifying the body antioxidant defense systems and reducing the formation and effects of advanced glycation end-products. The maximum health benefits of exercise are obtainable when done regularly and guidelines are available for the general public and individuals with diabetes on how to achieve these benefits. Finally, the emphasis on the importance of physical activity does not exclude the principle that patients with diabetic complications should seek expert counseling before embarking on an exercise program because some activities might be risky for this group of patients