2019 National Kinesiology Week - Professional support the key to increase physical activity and significantly lower diabetes-related morbidity

OTTAWA, Nov. 11, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - It is estimated that about three million Canadians are affected by diabetes and that 200,000 more are diagnosed each year. It is therefore important to make every effort to reduce the harm caused by this chronic disease. Fortunately, studies repeatedly show that physical activity is an important factor in reducing diabetes-related morbidity and maintaining quality of life. However, for several reasons, diabetes patients are still less active than nondiabetic individuals and one third are completely sedentary. To help reverse this deadly trend, research studies recommend getting professional support with your aerobic and resistance exercise training.

As part of the 2019 National Kinesiology Week, presented by Hexfit taking place November 11 to 17 and the World Diabetes Day on November 14, the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance is reminding Canadians affected by diabetes, that kinesiologists, as part of a professional health team, can help them to move better, live better. Throughout that week, Canadians are invited to take on the MoveBetterChallenge to find strategies and opportunities to lead a more active lifestyle.

The healing power of physical activity

People are still mainly relying on medication for the management of chronic conditions such as diabetes. However, several studies show that exercise¹ can reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes by 50% and be twice as effective as standard insulin in treating the condition. Physical activity and exercise are essential for the management of type 2 diabetes, providing benefits such as increased metabolic rate, increased insulin sensitivity, improved glycemic control and decreased risk for cardiovascular disease.

"Based on research demonstrating the positive impact of physical activity, we recommend that individuals with type 2 diabetes participate in a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise each week, and include resistance exercises two to three times a week, explains Hardip Jhaj, president of the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance. "Despite these guidelines, we are concerned that the vast majority of Canadians who have type 2 diabetes do not meet the physical-activity recommendations."

Where to turn for help

Patients generally turn to healthcare providers such as doctors, nurses and pharmacists as their primary sources of information and assistance on diabetes. Therefore, these healthcare professionals are key advocates that assist patients in incorporating physical activity into their diabetes management. However, evidence suggests that these professionals often report low confidence in their abilities to provide structured physical-activity counselling and report a lack of knowledge, training and resources.

Evidence also suggests that goal setting, problem solving, providing information on where and when to exercise, and self-monitoring (e.g., use of objective monitoring with pedometers) have some efficacy to increase physical activity and improve A1C levels. Newer evidence is starting to accumulate on the potential benefits of other motivational tools and techniques such as providing direct, instantaneous rewards (monetary or token-based) for goal completion, text messaging, mobile applications, social media and video games. However, further higher-level evidence is needed to demonstrate their benefits for both physical activity and diabetes-related outcomes.

What has been found to be the most effective way to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes is to follow a supervised program involving aerobic or resistance exercise. For example, a one-year randomized trial compared exercise counselling plus twice weekly supervised aerobic and resistance exercise versus exercise counselling alone in people with type 2 diabetes. The group receiving the supervised aerobic and resistance exercise training had significantly better results than counselling alone. The benefits included higher reductions in cardiovascular risks, A1C, blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, body mass index and waist circumference, along with greater improvements in aerobic fitness and muscle strength.

"Lack of time, obligations to others, lack of perception of obesity as a health issue, shame and physical restrictions are all factors that act as barriers to meeting the recommended level of physical activity," continues Hardip Jhaj. "In our practice, we see that getting help from a kinesiologist can make a tremendous positive difference. With a personalized approach and ongoing motivational support, clients affected by diabetes can see how physical activities can drastically improve their quality of life."

Kinesiologists are the only specialists in human movement who use science and research to offer movement as a medicine to anyone with a health goal, who wants a practical and personalized approach.

A challenge to kick-start a new healthier life

The 2019 National Kinesiology Week, presented by Hexfit is the perfect time to be more active and discover how a kinesiologist can help people meet the recommended guidelines. With its MoveBetterChallenge, kinesiologists from across the country want Canadians suffering from diabetes, and other chronic diseases, to move better.  During that week, people are invited to log their exercise minutes and/or kilometres to be part of a national cumulative challenge. Visit www.nationalkinweek.ca to record walks, runs, rides, encourage others to move better to live better and so much more. Log your exercise minutes and kilometres to participate in the contest.

About the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance

Kinesiologists are human movement specialists. As trained health professionals, kinesiologists apply the science of exercise and movement to promote health and well-being; prevent, manage and rehabilitate chronic conditions; restore function and optimize human performance in the workplace, clinical settings, sport and fitness. They work with people of all ages and with physical abilities, in many settings, to improve the quality of life by often using interventions that include physical activity.

The Canadian Kinesiology Alliance (CKA) is a non-profit corporation that advocates and promotes the advancement of the profession of kinesiology in Canada. The CKA strives to be recognized as the unifying voice for the profession of kinesiology in Canada, and to have a positive impact on Canadians. On a national level, the CKA represents nine provincial kinesiology associations (PKAs) that are member associations and over 4,000 affiliated kinesiologists by developing progressive partnerships with other national organizations, providing support to effect positive change within government and public policy, and by promoting the science of Kinesiology. The CKA establishes and promotes the standards of the profession across Canada. To find a kinesiologist, visit www.cka.ca.

To follow the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance on Facebook and Twitter: @CdnKinesiology

In collaboration with:

• British Columbia Association of Kinesiologists
• Alberta Kinesiology Association
• Manitoba Kinesiology Association
• Ontario Kinesiology Association
• Fédération des kinésiologues du Québec
• New Brunswick Kinesiology Association
• Kinesiology Association of Nova-Scotia
• Newfoundland and Labrador Kinesiology Association
• Kinesiology PEI

In support of:

• World Diabetes Day

Supported by:

• Canadian Council of University Physical Education and Kinesiology Administrators
• Exercise is Medicine Canada
• GLA:D Canada
• Participaction
• Healthy Together Children's Health Program
• Rocktape

Sources: 
Emily Gray BSc, Christopher Shields BSc, MSc, PhD *, Jonathon R. Fowles BSc, MSc, PhD. Building Competency and Capacity for Promotion of Effective Physical Activity in Diabetes Care in Canada. Canadian Journal of Diabetes 2017; 491-498.

Ronald J. Sigal MD, MPH, FRCPC, Marni J. Armstrong CEP, PhD, Simon L. Bacon PhD, Normand G. Boulé PhD, Kaberi Dasgupta MD, MSc, FRCPC, Glen P. Kenny PhD, Michael C. Riddell PhD. Canadian Journal of Diabetes 2018; S54-S63.

SOURCE Canadian Kinesiology Alliance