diabetes and athletics

[Billy!]

Would jogging and running (at 80-84% mhr) 60 minutes a day six times a week increase the sugar level(in person who has normal fasting <105 glucose) and is there a risk of 46 year old male developing  diabetes in the future as result of exercising very hard at the above FIT level?Should person exercise at lower intensity(even though he can exercise at higher intensity) for prevention of developing diabetes in the future? Is there equation of calculating normal average glucose from hemoglobin a1c test?Thanks

[JDRF-Team-gg]

Let me try and answer your questions about exercise and diabetes.  I am not aware of any connection between the onset of diabetes and over-exertion.  Exercise helps people with diabetes keep their blood sugar in good control and within a normal range.  Glucose is used while exercising, which would lower the blood sugar level, not raise it. If you are predisposed to developing type 1 diabetes, no amount of exercise will change this.  On the other hand, type 2 diabetes is linked with obesity, and exercise would definitely help with the prevention of that type.  The hemoglobin A1C measures the average blood sugar level over a 3 month time period.  This test is used by diabetics as a tool in keeping their blood glucose readings in control.

[JDRF-Team-LRS]

You ask an interesting question.  I'm not an MD, and you might want to talk with an exercise physiologist about the particulars of your own exercise routine, but ... exercise is not a cause of diabetes.  For folks with diabetes, exercise is an important part of our strategy for staying healthy.

Hemaglobin a1c shows an overall average blood sugar for the past 90 days or so.  There is not a direct formula, in part because different labs using different measurement scales, so a given number from Lab A would translate into a different average BG (blood glucose) than that same number from Lab B.

If you have had a1c tests done, you can get the "Lab Normal" range info directly from  your doc or lab.

[JDRF Volunteer AJ]

I agree with the other comments already made…you should consult your physician before embarking on an exercise program of this type.  I also think there are other risk factors you need to consider, such as heart disease including smoking, or smoking history, family history of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol should have clearance from your cardiologist or internist. You didn’t indicate that you  have type 1 or type 2 but another consideration is long term weight management, and therefore a preventive for Type 2, is best achieved with 60 minutes/60 minutes plus of exercise daily at a heart rate of 60-65% of maximum (as opposed to 80-84%, which contributes more to cardiovascular fitness).  Also exercise at lower intensity (60-65% of max) is less likely to result in injury, and therefore better for the long-term, life-long commitment required for Type 2 prevention or just general good health.
Ardy