Diabetes is a serious illness that can affect many aspects of your lifestyle, but people with diabetes can enjoy many types of recreation and physical activities, including gymnastics. Exercise provides numerous health benefits for adults and children with diabetes. Talk to your doctor before undertaking any strenuous activity, such as gymnastics.
Diabetes
Diabetes occurs when your body does not produce adequate amounts of insulin or cannot efficiently process insulin. Your body uses food to make energy by changing it into glucose, a form of sugar. In healthy individuals, insulin lets the glucose enter cells, but if you have diabetes, the glucose may build up in your bloodstream, rather than moving into the cells. Exercise is one way to lower your blood sugar level and help to control your weight.
Gymnastics
While gymnastics can strengthen your muscles and bones, it can also change the way your body reacts to insulin, possibly making your blood sugar level too low, a condition known as hypoglycemia. Because hypoglycemia usually occurs gradually, you may need to monitor your blood sugar and play close attention to the way you feel while performing gymnastics. Drink plenty of water during and after your workout and try to perform your practice sessions at the same time every day. Working out at the same time, using the same level of exertion and keeping the lengths of your sessions similar can help you control your blood sugar levels.
Monitoring Blood Sugar
MayoClinic.com recommends monitoring your blood sugar level 30 minutes prior to exercising and immediately after exercising. A blood sugar reading between 100 and 250 mg/dL is safe for most people. Your doctor may need to adjust your medications if you notice that your gymnastic routine alters your readings on a regular basis.
Precautions
Depending on your level of fitness and your specific gymnastics routine, this form of exercise may increase the pressure on your feet, a concern for many diabetics. Examine your feet and legs frequently and contact your doctor if you notice sores or blisters forming on your lower limbs. Other symptoms may also require medical attention. Symptoms of potential problems include chest pain, shortness of breath, feeling faint and blood sugar readings that are below 60 mg/dL or above 250 mg/dL. Heavy weight lifting, including lifting the weight of your body during gymnastics, may worsen existing diabetic eye disease.
