| Abstract: |
This article presents the position statement of the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) on diabetes and exercise. The AADE is a multidisciplinary professional membership organization of health care professionals dedicated to integrating successful self-management as a key outcome in the care of people with diabetes and related conditions. The AADE asserts that diabetes educators play a unique and influential role in advising and motivating individuals with diabetes to integrate physical activity and exercise into a lifestyle that supports optimal diabetes management and health. The position statement covers the health benefits of exercise, the role of exercise in diabetes prevention, potential exercise risks, exercise recommendations and guidelines, and outcomes expectations. The statement concludes that, although exercise carries potential risks for individuals with diabetes, with careful planning, its numerous health benefits far outweigh these risks. By using established, sound exercise guidelines and tailoring exercise recommendations to thorough pre-exercise assessment, diabetes educators can suggest safe and effective physical activity interventions that will enhance the health and well-being of all individuals with diabetes. Physical activity remains an underused treatment modality in diabetes management. 25 references. |