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Physical Activity and Exercise - For Professionals

It’s time to have the conversation with your patients, and the Canadian Diabetes Association is here to help.

You should know:

• Low physical fitness is as strong a risk factor for mortality as smoking.¹
• Fitness level is one of the strongest predictors of all-cause mortality in people with diabetes.¹
• Physical activity levels of Canadians have fallen dramatically over the last 40 years.
• Physical activity can be as powerful as glucose-lowering medication…with fewer side effects.²

You should know:

Most people with diabetes or those at risk for diabetes do not meet the Canadian Diabetes Association’s guidelines for aerobic and resistance exercise:

• Your patients have the power to improve their blood glucose control by actively exercising 5 days a week and engaging in resistance training.
• Regular physical activity, in conjunction with healthy eating and weight control, can reduce diabetes incidence by 60%.2

We must do more to encourage regular physical activity and exercise for our patients!

Here are some practical tools to help you help your patients:

Physical activity and exercise
Diabetes and Physical Activity Your Exercise Prescription

These tools will help you:

• Counsel your patients with diabetes regarding physical activity.
• Individualize physical activity recommendations with an exercise prescription for each of your patients.
• Learn specific ‘how-to’ information for aerobic and resistance exercise and strategies to improve adherence
• to a regular pattern of physical activity for your patients.
• Identify exercise programs and resources to recommend to your patients.

All members of the diabetes healthcare team should repeatedly recommend, regardless of a person’s starting point, a regular pattern of physical activity.

For more opportunities to learn about diabetes and exercise:

• Attend the 2011 CDA/CSEM Professional Conference and Annual Meetings.
For more information, visit diabetes.ca/for-professionals/conference/program-updates
• In 2012, look for “Diabetes and Exercise” workshops in your area.
For more information, visit diabetes.ca/community

Ian Blumer, MD, Chair, Dissemination & Implementation Committee

Canadian Diabetes Association 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada

References:

1. Church TS, Cheng YJ, et al. Exercise capacity and body composition as predictors of mortality among men with diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2004; 27(1): 83-88.

2. Knowler WC, Barrett-Connor E, et al. Reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes with lifestyle intervention or metformin. N Engl J Med. 2002; 346(6):393-403.

2008 Canadian Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committee. Canadian Diabetes Association 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada. Can J Diabetes. 2008; 32 (suppl 1): S1-S201.