ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the role of physical activity as a therapy in T2DM. Epidemiological data has consistently reported that physical activity is inversely associated with the risk of developing T2DM. Physical activity is also associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality in those diagnosed with T2DM. General physical activity recommendations for adults have typically specified engaging in at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity physical activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity in bouts of at least ten minutes in length. Moderate-intensity physical activity is an extremely safe therapy in the management of T2DM and has few, if any, harmful side effects beyond the slightly elevated risk of musculoskeletal injury. The benefits of physical activity are not solely reliant on reductions in body weight, and inability to change weight with an exercise programme should not be deemed as an unsuccessful venture by the client-exercise specialist team.
