Physical activity/exercise and diabetes: a review statement of the American Diabetes Association

Abstract

Ensuring regular physical exercise is crucial for managing blood glucose levels and promoting overall health in those with diabetes and prediabetes. Recommendations and precautions differ based on individual attributes and health conditions. This article aimed to provide a comprehensive assessment and evidence-based guidelines on physical activity and exercise for diabetic patients. An electronic literature search was conducted in the MEDLINE database using the specified search keywords: Physical, Activity, Exercise, Diabetes, Statement, and American Diabetes Association. The search was limited to publications between 2014 and 2024 to identify relevant material. Relevant search terms were utilized on Google Scholar to locate and explore relevant scholarly articles. The selection of papers was guided by certain inclusion criteria. The study was organized into several sections with particular headers in the discussion. It is advisable to suggest and prescribe physical activity and exercise to all patients with diabetes as a means of managing glucose control and promoting overall health. The advice and precautions for managing diabetes depend on factors such as the specific type of diabetes, age, level of physical activity, and any existing diabetes-related health issues. Recommendations should be customized to address the unique requirements of each individual. All adults should be encouraged to not only participate in regular physical exercise but also to reduce the overall amount of time spent being sedentary each day. It is important to interrupt prolonged periods of sitting with frequent intervals of physical activity. Ultimately, behavior- change tactics might be employed to encourage the acceptance and continuation of lifelong physical exercise.