5. Summary and conclusion

• Exercising against gravity

176 Diabetes Food Plan

• Exercising with weight

• Calf stretching exercise

• Sitting hamstring stretch exercise • Plantar fascia stretching exercise.

• Hip flexors and adductors stretch exercise

4. Guidelines for a sound exercise program

• Biceps and triceps stretching exercise

to wear the medical tag for diabetics.

30 minutes.

• Exercising against the resistance of water

• Exercising using your own body weight as the load

ally. These exercises can be done either individually or in groups.

Muscle tone and joint flexibility exercises are also called stretching exercises. There are two main types of stretching exercises: therapeutic stretching and self-stretching. While the first is indicated for therapeutic purposes, the second is used in bodybuilding, athletic training, dance and certain ritual exercises. The therapeutic stretching can be implemented on the desired muscle groups either by the therapist or by the patient himself. It is believed that stretching stimulates the body-mind complex to resolve injury, stress and pain. Gradual therapeutic stretching helps to keep the joints flexible and reduce the chances of injury during other activities. Thus gentle stretching for 5–10 minutes helps our body warm up and get ready for aerobic activities such as walking or swimming. Diabetes patients and prediabetes can do the following flexibility exercises of major muscle groups of both upper and lower limbs bilater-

If the blood glucose level is less than 100 mg/dl or greater than 250 mg/dl, do not exercise.

necessary things to address hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis.

It is recommended to exercise indoor instead of outdoor to minimize the risk of integumentary and musculoskeletal trauma. It is also helpful for the patient to have an immediate access to

When patients plan to come out of their house to go somewhere else, they are highly advised

During prolonged exercise duration, 10–15 g of carbohydrate snack is recommended for every

• Exercising against a resistance band

3.3.4. Muscle tone and joint flexibility exercises

Majority of diabetes mellitus patients have physical impairments, activity limitations and associated complications. Physical therapy has an important role to improve physical function, activities of daily living and quality of life of diabetic patients. Persons who are at risk of developing diabetes mellitus should also be involved in appropriate levels of daily physical activity based on personal preference and anticipated physical limitations.

It is recommended that people with DM ought to have a regular aerobic exercise and strength training to reassure positive adaptations in the control of blood glucose concentration, insulin action, muscular strength and exercise tolerance. Blood glucose levels should be monitored before and after exercise to prevent hypoglycemia. A medical screening and evaluation is essential to distinguish diabetes-related complications affecting cardiovascular function, which may be aggravated by an exercise program.
