A panel of experts has drawn up new guidelines to specifically help diabetics whose condition may limit vigorous exercise.
The recommendations, published earlier this month in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, call for at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise spread out at least three days during the week, with no more than two consecutive days between bouts of aerobic activity.
The report claims that aerobic activity alone cannot give full benefit of exercise to diabetic individuals and suggests that resistance exercise (strength training) is as important as-and perhaps even more important.
Sheri Colberg, who chaired the group of sports medicine experts, said: "Most people with type 2 diabetes do not have sufficient aerobic capacity to undertake sustained vigorous activity for that weekly duration, and they may have orthopedic or other health limitations."
"Many physicians appear unwilling or cautious about prescribing exercise to individuals with type 2 diabetes for a variety of reasons, such as excessive body weight or the presence of health-related complications.
"However, the majority of people with type 2 diabetes can exercise safely, as long as certain precautions are taken. The presence of diabetes complications should not be used as an excuse to avoid participation in physical activity."
