Although physical activity (PA) is a
key element in the prevention and
management of type 2 diabetes,
many with this chronic disease do not
become or remain regularly active.
High-quality studies establishing the
importance of exercise and fitness in diabetes
were lacking until recently, but it
is now well established that participation
in regular PA improves blood glucose
control and can prevent or delay
type 2 diabetes, along with positively
impacting lipids, blood pressure, cardiovascular
events, mortality, and quality
of life. Structured interventions
combining PA and modest weight loss
have been shown to lower risk of type 2
diabetes by up to 58% in high-risk populations.
Most benefits of PA on diabetes
management are realized through
acute and chronic improvements in insulin
action, accomplished with both
aerobic and resistance training. The
benefits of physical training are discussed,
along with recommendations
for varying activities, PA-associated
blood glucose management, diabetes
prevention, gestational diabetes mellitus,
and safe and effective practices
for PA with diabetes-related
complications.