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5 easy exercises for seniors with diabetes

Fitness
Quality Reviewed
Perry Health Team
December 7, 2022

Table of Contents

1. Walking

2. Swimming

3. Yoga

4. Tai Chi

5. Resistcnce Training

Exercise is an important part of managing diabetes, especially for seniors. Not only can it help control blood sugar levels, but it can also improve overall health and wellbeing. However, it's important to choose low-impact exercises that are safe and suitable for seniors with diabetes. Here are 5 easy exercises that can help seniors with diabetes stay active and healthy.

Walking

Walking is a simple, low-impact exercise that can be done almost anywhere. It's a great way to get the heart rate up and improve circulation, which can help manage blood sugar levels. To make walking more challenging, try increasing the distance or pace, or adding some hills or stairs.

Swimming

Swimming is another low-impact exercise that can be beneficial for seniors with diabetes. The buoyancy of the water helps to take pressure off the joints, making it a safe and gentle form of exercise. Swimming can also improve cardiovascular health and muscle strength. To make swimming more challenging, try using a kickboard or doing laps.

Yoga

Yoga is a gentle, low-impact exercise that can help seniors with diabetes improve flexibility, balance, and mental wellbeing. It can also help to manage stress and improve blood sugar control. To make yoga more challenging, try incorporating some more advanced poses or using props like blocks or straps.

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is a slow, gentle form of exercise that originated in China. It involves a series of slow, flowing movements that can help improve balance, flexibility, and mental focus. It can also help to manage stress and improve overall health. To make Tai Chi more challenging, try incorporating some more advanced movements or using a faster pace.

Resistance Training

Resistance training, also known as strength training, involves using weights or other forms of resistance to strengthen the muscles. It can be beneficial for seniors with diabetes because it can help improve muscle strength and metabolism, which can in turn help control blood sugar levels. To make resistance training more challenging, try using heavier weights or increasing the number of repetitions.

Overall, it's important for seniors with diabetes to find low-impact exercises that they enjoy and that fit their fitness level. By incorporating these easy exercises into a regular routine, seniors with diabetes can improve their health and manage their condition effectively.

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The Perry Health team is a group of individuals passionate about developing accurate, reliable information that can help improve your life.

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