Exercise Strategies to Prevent Hypoglycemia in Patients with Diabetes

Abstract

The importance of adopting healthy exercise routines has been repeatedly emphasized to individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). However, knowledge about the risk of exercise-induced hypoglycemia is limited. Regular exercise reduces and delays the onset of DM-related complications particularly in individuals who already have DM. However, an excessive exercise can lead to hypoglycemia. Excessive exercise in the evening can cause hypoglycemia while sleeping. Furthermore, if individuals with DM want to have a greater amount of exercise, the exercise duration rather than intensity must be increased. In weight resistance exercises, it is beneficial to first increase the number of repetitions, followed by the number of sets and gradually the weight of resistance. When performing intermittent high-intensity training within a short time period, hypoglycemia may develop for an extended period after exercise. In addition to adjusting exercise regimens, the medication doses must be modified accordingly. Delaying exercise, adjusting the number of snacks consumed prior to exercise, reducing insulin dose before exercise, and injecting insulin into the abdomen rather than the limbs prevent exercise-induced hypoglycemia prior to a spontaneous exercise. Ultimately, with personal knowledge on how to prevent hypoglycemia, the effects of exercise can be maximized in individuals with DM, and a healthy lifestyle can prevent future complications.