Can Treadmill Exercise Help With Diabetes?

Alongside heart disease, cancer, and chronic lung disease, diabetes remains one of the most prominent chronic diseases facing people today. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some six in 10 adults in the U.S. have at least one chronic disease. Alcohol abuse, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise serve as the primary lifestyle risks, and exercise on a treadmill has demonstrated success in both prevention and treatment.

While studies do affirm that exercise in any form has positive benefits for those suffering diabetes, treadmills seem to be the most common form of tool used in studies. Simple to use, the newer lines of treadmills come fully equipped with heartrate monitors and interactive apps which take the guesswork out of training. Given that diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S., with more than 37 million adults presently diabetic, it’s certainly worth considering an investment in a good home treadmill. If presently shopping for one, check out our Five Point Buyer’s Guide to treadmills, and continue reading below to see what it can do for you, or a member of your family suffering from diabetes.

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What Is Diabetes?

Unlike a contagious disease like a virus, diabetes is a chronic health condition which affects the way one’s body converts food sugars into energy. Typically, a human body breaks down food into glucose – a sugar – and releases it into the bloodstream. This is then referred to as blood sugar. When blood sugar levels go up, the pancreas is signaled to release insulin, which allows the glucose into the body’s cells to be burnt as energy.

In diabetics, the body either doesn’t generate enough insulin on its own or doesn’t manage it as well as it should. Without proper insulin levels, the body winds up allowing too much blood sugar to remain in the blood stream. This can result in a variety of problems ranging from heart disease to vision loss, kidney disease, and circulatory problems.

According to the CDC, diabetes come in one of three forms: Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes.

• Type 1 Diabetes: Often referred to as juvenile diabetes, this condition is believed to result from an autoimmune reaction where the body attacks itself and halts the production of insulin. This is typically discovered during childhood and adolescence. This type of diabetes accounts for about 5% of the group.
• Type 2 Diabetes: The most common form of diabetes, Type 2 accounts for between 90-95% and is typically discovered later in adulthood. Maintaining a health bodyweight, eating healthy food, and avoiding substance abuse are all recommended ways to avoid Type 2 Diabetes.
• Gestational Diabetes: This form develops in pregnant women and can cause complications during the pregnancy. It also raises the risk of developing Type 2 later in life.

Presently, the U.S. CDC estimates 37 million adults have diabetes, with another 96 million in a pre-diabetic stage. Diabetes is estimated to be the number one cause of kidney failure, lower limb amputations, and adult blindness, and total number of causes have doubled in the last 20 years.

The problem is so severe, the CDC sponsors recognized lifestyle change programs, and for those over the age of 65, a Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program, which is actually cost-free if you’re participating in Medicare Part B.

And as you’d expect, exercise is a key component of these plans.

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What’s So Great About Treadmill Exercise?

Whether a high-priced model or budget-friendly, the evidence is just too plentiful to ignore. As the Harvard University Medical School reports, for individuals with diabetes, the benefits of exercise cannot be overstated. If combined with the counsel of a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, it’s a win-win situation for sure. In addition to helping to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and LDL, research affirms that exercise can help lower blood glucose levels and boost the body’s sensitivity to insulin, which in turn counters insulin resistance. Even for those individuals who don’t lose weight while exercising, the activity has been shown to lower HbA1c values by 0.7%.

And if you’re interested in reading up on the actual studies involved, below is just a sampling:

• Acute and Chronic Effects of Exercise on Continuous Glucose Monitoring Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2020: The researchers offer a 28-study meta-analysis supporting their conclusions that exercise can improve 24-hour glucose profiles in adults with Type 2 Diabetes. Aerobic exercise, including walking and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), were prominent forms of exercise studied.
• High-Intensity Interval Training Versus Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training in Middle-Aged and Older Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Acute Effects of Treadmill Walking on Glycemic Control: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. This study featured 15 patients with Type 2 Diabetes who used treadmill walking as an aerobic exercise mode during a randomized controlled trial. Three experimental conditions were applied, including treadmill walking using a HIIT strategy, a moderate-intensity continuous training routine, and then a control which simply rested. The researchers report that both HIIT and MICT sessions reduced blood glucose levels during exercise and 50 minutes afterward compared to the control.

Before engaging a workout routine to battle any kind of medical condition, it’s always advisable to consult a medical professional. But don’t be surprised if the doctor recommends walking. The great thing about treadmills is they’re ready rain or shine, seven days a week, and can be purchased for less than gym membership. Whereas rowers can tough to utilize for people suffering from obesity due to the seat size and positioning, treadmills allow users to walk upright in a natural manner. The same is true for exercise bikes which can be tough to mount for some folks, and not everyone is into bending barbells.

Can Treadmill Exercise Help With Diabetes?

Absolutely, given the proper routine and medical supervision. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), walking is one of the best ways to engage the condition. Considering the cost of diabetes in terms of life quality and financial, it just makes sense to consider incorporating treadmill exercise into the mix. Whether currently experiencing the condition in yourself or by way of family member, talking to a medical professional about a workout routine just makes too much sense to avoid.