Edited by Doctor Alberto Beconcini
Type 2 diabetes is the most frequent form of diabetes and accounts for approximately 90% of all cases. This type of disease, also known as diabetes of old age, initially presents asymptomatically and the typical symptoms, such as exhaustion, burning and frequent diuresis, do not initially appear. It is mostly in the presence of a combination of peripheral insulin resistance and its pancreatic hyposecretion. Type 1 diabetes, on the other hand, is the consequence of an autoimmune destruction of beta cells (responsible for the production of insulin), which causes a absolute lack of this hormone.
The rapid socio-economic transformations, and incorrect eating habits, have seen the possibility of contracting this type of disease increase dramatically.
This increases the awareness on the part of doctors (especially the basic ones) of the importance of physical activity as a drug, especially as a supportive therapy to the standard drug, in this type of patient.
Unlike other metabolic diseases, in type 2 diabetes the body's response to physical exercise is excellent; the classic symptoms of the diabetic, such as asthenia, difficulty in remembering things, not to mention some postural and walking problems or joint due to damage caused by high glycemic peaks, can be significantly improved thanks to the careful eye of the personal trainer.
In light of these facts and based on my experience, I believe that circuit training is the optimal training for this type of patient. Circuit training combines strength training with the use of machine overloads, alternating periods of cardiorespiratory work.
Clearly the circuit work that we are going to propose to this type of subjects will be different from the classic circuit work, because it will have to be subjective and adapted to each specific case; below is an example.
When organizing circuit training in diabetic subjects, it is recommended to use only polyarticular isotonic machines with a closed kinetic chain, such as the leg press for the lower limbs, the reverse grip lat machine for the biceps and the large back, the shoulder press for the lower limbs. shoulders and chest press for the pectoral muscles and triceps.
The goal is to lift a maximum of 30% of the maximum lifting weight (following the execution of the indirect sub-maximal test with the brziky formula) for 12/15 repetitions on each specific machine
It is important to alternate an isotonic machine with a cardio station, which will be a step placed at the minimum height where the personal trainer will teach the basic steps of the step.
The use of the step with the teaching of the basic steps has a dual function; first of all it improves the cardio-circulatory system, but it also greatly improves balance and coordination, which is often rather deficient in this type of subject.
It is very important that the maximum duration of each station is not more than 30 seconds.
As far as beginners are concerned, it is very important to set a correct load, which allows the correct execution of the exercise; with the passage of time the strength will increase, and the weight will also be increased. weight that allows them to perform a maximum of 15 repetitions.
Completing a circuit means performing all the planned exercises in sequence without a break. It starts with a complete circuit and then passes, afterwards and after having reached the right training, to 3 complete circuits with 3-5 minutes of recovery between one and the other.
Here is an example of circuit training:
chest press max 30 "" -step 30 ""
leg press-step max 30 "" - step 30 ""
shoulder press max 30 "" - step 30 ""
lat machine max 30 "" - step 30 ""
abdominal max 30 "" - step 30 ""
pull down max 30 "" - step 30 ""
Effects and benefits
In circuit training you quickly pass from a strength exercise to a cardiorespiratory exercise, without any recovery, and this "forces" the heart to maintain high enough frequencies for the entire duration of the training.
All this promotes cardiovascular conditioning in the diabetic subject, in order to train the cardiovascular component.
In this type of subjects this variable is very important, because 80% of type 2 diabetics are often also obese and a reduction in adipose mass can be very important in diabetic complications, including heart problems being one of the most important. .
The benefits of greater capillarization in diabetics are of fundamental importance, given the enormous resistance that, especially in the lower limbs, create major problems. With this type of training, a great benefit is created.
Also important is the effect of this type of training on the reduction of maximum and minimum blood pressure, on the increase of "good" HDL cholesterol and, consequently, on the reduction of the risk of contracting heart disease.
