Regular exercise for diabetic patients can help with blood sugar control and health management

2026/10/05 07:26

Xie Yunqi, a diabetes health teacher at Daye Clinic, said that regular exercise for people with diabetes can help with blood sugar control, weight management and cardiovascular health; the picture shows the situation. (Picture taken from freepik)

[Health Channel/Comprehensive Report] Many people with diabetes think that exercise is just for weight loss, and regular exercise is also an important way to stabilize blood sugar. Xie Junqi, a diabetes health teacher at Daye Clinic, pointed out that exercise can help improve blood sugar control, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Exercise such as aerobic exercise, brisk walking, power walking, or resistance exercises such as elastic bands and dumbbells can be integrated into life. She reminds people with diabetes to exercise to prevent hypoglycemia. You can carry glucose or sugary foods with you during exercise so that you can deal with hypoglycemia immediately.

Xie Junqi shared in a post on Facebook "Daye Clinic" that many people with diabetes think exercise is just for weight loss. In fact, for diabetes care, regular exercise is also one of the important ways to stabilize blood sugar. During exercise, muscles increase glucose uptake and utilization, while improving insulin sensitivity. Long-term regular exercise has the following three major advantages for people with diabetes:

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●Improve blood sugar control, increase muscle utilization of glucose, and enhance insulin sensitivity.

●Maintain a healthy weight and increase physical activity, which helps to manage weight and metabolic health.

●Reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and help improve blood pressure, blood lipids and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Do both aerobic and resistance exercises

In terms of exercise selection, Xie Junqi suggested that aerobic exercise can include fast walking, power walking, cycling, swimming, etc.; resistance exercise can be performed through elastic bands, dumbbells, squats, etc. to help maintain muscle strength and muscle mass. At the same time, accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise every week, spread it out over a week, and combine it with resistance exercise at least twice a week. If you don’t exercise much, don’t rush to reach the target all at once. You can start by walking more and moving more every day, and then slowly increase the time and intensity of exercise.

People with diabetes should pay attention to hypoglycemia during exercise

Xie Junqi also reminded people with diabetes to pay attention to the following four things when exercising:

1. Pay attention to blood sugar

People with diabetes who take insulin or drugs that may cause hypoglycemia can monitor their blood sugar before and after exercise according to their personal treatment plan and the recommendations of medical personnel.

2. Prevent hypoglycemia

You can carry glucose or sugary food with you during exercise so that you can deal with low blood sugar immediately.

3. Take care of your feet

Wear well-fitting shoes and socks, and avoid barefoot exercise. If you have any foot wounds, blisters, or redness, you should stop exercising and receive professional evaluation.

4. Properly replenish water

Replenish water appropriately according to the weather, environment and amount of exercise.

Xie Junqi concluded that if you feel uncomfortable, stop first. If you experience dizziness, cold sweat, trembling, palpitations, or obvious weakness, you should stop exercising immediately and evaluate your blood sugar. In other words, the point of exercise is not to do a lot at once, but to keep doing it.