Why exercise is essential in type 2 diabetes management
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body cannot effectively use insulin to regulate blood glucose. Regular structured exercise improves insulin sensitivity, lowers blood glucose levels, reduces HbA1c, and decreases the risk of diabetes complications including cardiovascular disease, neuropathy and kidney disease.
The evidence is clear: exercise is as effective as some medications for improving blood glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes — and without the side effects. An accredited exercise physiologist (AEP) is the allied health professional trained to prescribe exercise as medicine for diabetes management.
Clinical guidelines: Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) and Diabetes Australia both recommend regular exercise supervised by an accredited exercise physiologist as a core component of type 2 diabetes management. Exercise physiology is funded under Medicare CDM plans for eligible patients.
What types of exercise help most with type 2 diabetes?
An effective exercise physiology program for type 2 diabetes combines two main types of exercise:
Aerobic exercise
Walking, cycling, swimming and aquatic exercise improve cardiovascular fitness and directly lower blood glucose during and after exercise. Current guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, spread across most days to prevent blood glucose spikes.
Resistance training
Strength training using weights, resistance bands or bodyweight exercises increases muscle mass, which improves insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake independent of aerobic exercise. Two to three resistance sessions per week are recommended alongside aerobic exercise.
Important: Exercise affects blood glucose levels and may interact with diabetes medications. Your exercise physiologist will screen for hypoglycaemia risk, monitor your response to exercise, and liaise with your GP or endocrinologist to ensure your program is safe and appropriately timed relative to medications.
How is exercise physiology funded for diabetes?
- Medicare CDM plan — type 2 diabetes qualifies for a GP Management Plan, enabling up to five rebated exercise physiology sessions per year. Exercare bulk bills eligible CDM clients.
- Private health insurance — most extras policies covering exercise physiology will apply to diabetes management sessions.
- NDIS — where diabetes contributes to or results from an eligible disability, exercise physiology may be fundable under Capacity Building.
- Self-funded — available without referral.
Managing type 2 diabetes in south-east Melbourne?
Exercare provides mobile exercise physiology for diabetes management. We come to you — at home, gym or hydrotherapy pool. Medicare bulk billing available.
What to expect at your first appointment
Your initial assessment covers your current blood glucose management, HbA1c levels, medications, cardiovascular risk factors, and any diabetes complications that affect exercise (such as peripheral neuropathy or retinopathy). Your EP then designs a program matched to your current fitness level, goals and medical parameters — progressing safely over time as your fitness and glucose control improve.
Written by the Exercare team. Exercare provides mobile exercise physiology for chronic disease management across south-east Melbourne. Start with Medicare or private health →