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A chronic, metabolic disorder associated with elevated levels of blood glucose (BG), diabetes, is mainly caused from the improper or insufficient secretion of insulin (Figure 1). As a result obstructions in metabolism are observed ^[1].

Figure 1.  Insulin is a hormone produced and secreted by the β-cells of Islets of Langerhans, located in the pancreas. Its function is to maintain BG homeostasis by stimulating glucose uptake in tissue for ATP production or glycogen synthesis in liver or skeletal muscle; prevents hyperglycemia. T2DM is mainly related to the inability of tissue to respond to insulin; insulin resistance, and obstructions in insulin secretion. Image from eurostemcell.org ^[3].

Three major types are classified under the umbrella of diabetes: type 1 (T1DM), type 2 (T2DM) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This web page will be focusing on T2DM as it is the most common form and is prevalent in ‘85-90% of all cases’ ^[2].

It is widely known and proven by many studies that exercise has numerous health benefits. Improving fitness, immune system, stimulating the whole body to work properly and decrease the risk of developing a disease are just some of them ^{[4] [5] [6]}. The 3 main types of exercise are: Endurance training, Resistance training and High intensity interval training (HIIT). They all influence the body positively and have different purposes. Studies have shown that any type of exercise is beneficial for T2DM patients, to some extent ^{[7] [8]}.

This web page is aimed to inform the benefits of exercise on T2DM patients and is directed to the general public.

 

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Referencing list

1. Mohammed H. Diabetes mellitus: an overview. MedCare Pharmacy & Pharmacology International Journal. 2016;4:406-411.
2. Hackett E. Type 2 diabetes: pathophysiology and clinical features. Clinical Pharmacist. 2009;1:475-478.
3. Diabetes: how could stem cells help? | Eurostemcell [Internet]. Eurostemcell.org. 2018 [cited 14 November 2018]. Available at: https://www.eurostemcell.org/diabetes-how-could-stem-cells-help
4. Martin J Gibala, Jonathan P Little, Maureen J MacDonald, and John A Hawley ‘Physiological adaptations to low-volume, high-intensity interval training in health and disease’, The Journal of Physiology © 2012 The Physiological Society, (2012), 590(5), pp. 1077–1084 [Online]. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3381816/
5. John A Babraj, Niels BJ Vollaard, Cameron Keast, Fergus M Guppy, Greg Cottrell and James A Timmons ‘Extremely short duration high intensity interval training substantially improves insulin action in young healthy males’, BMC Endocrine Disorders, (2009), 9(3), pp. [Online]. Available at: https://bmcendocrdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6823-9-3
6. Ben Greenfield, The Two Best Ways To Build Endurance As Fast As Possible (Without Destroying Your Body) – Part 2, (2017), Available at: https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/article/fitness-articles/workouts-exercise-articles/best-ways-to-build-endurance-2/
7. Stephen R Bird, John A Hawley, ‘Update on the effects of physical activity on insulin sensitivity in humans.’, BMJ open sport and exercise medicine, (2017), 2(1), pp. [Online]. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5569266/
8. M Laakso, ‘Hyperglycemia and cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes.’, Diabetes, (1999), 48(5), pp. 937-942 [Online]. Available at: http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/48/5/937.short