SadaNews – The Chinese Endocrine Society has issued new clinical guidelines aimed at organizing and developing physical activity and exercise therapy programs for adults with type 2 diabetes.
Researchers explained that these guidelines are based on a systematic review of scientific evidence from reliable international databases, alongside the integration of expert opinions from multiple specialties. The guidelines were published in the journal “Journal of Sport and Health Science.”
Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common forms of diabetes and occurs when the body becomes unable to use insulin effectively, or when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.
This type of diabetes is often associated with factors such as overweight, lack of physical activity, genetic factors, and aging, and can gradually develop without clear symptoms in its early stages.
However, it can be effectively managed through lifestyle changes such as following a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and using medications or insulin when necessary to reduce complications that may affect the heart, kidneys, and nerves.
The new clinical guidelines emphasized that physical activity is a cornerstone in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, not just an adjunct but an integral part of the comprehensive treatment plan to improve health outcomes and reduce complications.
The guidelines highlighted the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle, explaining that regular physical activity contributes to better control of blood sugar levels and reduces health deterioration associated with the disease.
They recommended engaging in at least 150 to 300 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise, or a combination of both, with the possibility of achieving greater benefits by gradually and thoughtfully increasing the level of physical activity.
The guidelines also emphasized the importance of diversifying exercises to include aerobic activities, resistance training, flexibility, and balance, as this plays a role in improving overall fitness and reducing complications related to diabetes.
To enhance safety, the guidelines called for the necessity of a medical assessment before starting any exercise program, particularly to evaluate heart health and check for diabetic foot issues, while considering individual differences among patients in terms of age, duration of diabetes, and the presence of comorbid conditions.
They also recommended the use of wearable devices to monitor physical activity and improve adherence to treatment programs, along with specialist supervision when necessary, to ensure maximum benefit and minimize potential risks.
Experts confirmed that integrating exercise into the diabetes treatment plan helps reduce complications in the long term, including heart and kidney diseases, and improves patients’ quality of life overall, amid the rising prevalence of the disease globally and its close association with lack of physical activity.
