Three decades ago I concluded that we were heading for an epidemic of type two diabetes and possibly even have a growing incidence of type one diabetes. I started following closely what was being done by, what was called then, the Baker IDI Institute and the research being led by Dr. David Dunstan.The hypothesis behind the research being done by Dr David Dunstan’s team was whether strength exercises would improve muscle mass to the extent that it would positively affect blood glucose levels.
This research project involved people with type two diabetes and separated them into a control group who were not expected to change their lifestyle, and a research group whom were exposed to strength training. The strength training was classified as progressive resistance training because the diabetics started their “resistance ” at a manageable level which they then increased progressively.
The program borne out of this research, Lift 4 Life, was introduced into Green Apple in 1999 and still exists today.
The BakerIDI Institute is now called the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, and their research never stops in an effort to improve the health of thousands of Australians affected by either T1D or T2D.
Professor Jonathan Shaw from the Institute was interviewed recently by Dr Norman Swan and Teagan Taylor in the ABC podcast, The Health Report. The topic was “Diabetes patients are at a higher risk of injury”.
Most of us know that diabetes can significantly affect our eyesight, our kidneys, our feet, and can contribute to heart disease and stroke but many people will not have heard of the term Sarcopenia.
Sarcopaenia means clinical muscle loss and this can occur with age, with long-term bed rest, with lack of physical activity etc. The diminished muscle plays a huge part in falls, hip fractures (diabetics are 6 to 7 times more likely to experience this than non-diabetics), gait changes, problems with mobility and co-ordination, and even balance.
In other words, diminished muscle mass all over our body, and especially in our legs, affects our lives significantly. And it is an issue that we can do something about!
We will never be too old to address the appropriate maintenance of our body, and the Green Apple is dedicated to helping people with their “body-housekeeping” activity.
Avoid being one of those diabetic “60 percenters” and do everything you can to avoid Sarcopaenia and Serious Injury.
Victoria Gill
12/08/2024