Exercise and Glycemic

Working muscle can take up glucose without relying entirely on insulin. During sustained aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming, that increased muscle uptake usually lowers blood glucose. Exercise also increases insulin sensitivity after the activity ends, so the same insulin dose may have a stronger effect later. This delayed effect explains why a person may complete an afternoon walk with no symptoms, then develop hypoglycemia overnight. Muscles continue replenishing glycogen stores, and insulin remains more effective. Exercise-related glucose lowering can persist for up to 48 hours. [2] Not every activity produces the same glucose pattern. Sustained aerobic exercise tends to lower glucose predictably. Short, intense intervals or heavy resistance exercise can trigger catecholamine release and cause a temporary glucose rise. A rising value during vigorous activity is not automatically reassuring; the nurse still considers ketones, hydration, symptoms, and the person’s insulin availability. [2] The experienced nurse does not interpret a glucose value in isolation. A reading of 6.2 mmol/L before a relaxed 15-minute walk means something different from the same reading before a 90-minute cycling session after...