Diabetes
Exercise can support diabetes management when it matches your health needs.
Diabetes is a long-term condition that affects how your body manages blood glucose. It can influence energy, circulation, nerve health, healing, foot health and daily wellbeing. This page explains the key issues and links with broader general health information, Exercise Physiology and safe movement support.
Many people with diabetes benefit from a team approach. Your GP, endocrinologist, diabetes educator, dietitian, podiatrist, optometrist, physiotherapist and exercise physiologist may all play a role. At PhysioWorks, we commonly help with safe exercise, lower limb concerns, balance, mobility, strength and confidence returning to activity.
Diabetes Quick Guide
- Blood glucose: diabetes affects how glucose moves from the blood into the body’s cells.
- Exercise: regular movement may support fitness, strength and blood glucose control.
- Feet: numbness, wounds, rubbing or poor healing need prompt review.
- Balance: nerve or foot changes can affect walking confidence.
- Support: an Exercise Physiologist can help build a safe, realistic plan.
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes occurs when the body does not make enough insulin, does not use insulin well, or both. Insulin helps move glucose from the blood into the cells, where it can be used for energy. When this process does not work well, blood glucose may stay too high.
The two main forms are type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes usually involves a lack of insulin. Type 2 diabetes is more common and often involves insulin resistance. This means the body becomes less responsive to insulin over time.
Some people are diagnosed with pre-diabetes. This means blood glucose levels are higher than ideal but not yet in the diabetes range. Early lifestyle changes during pre-diabetes may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Why Does Diabetes Affect More Than Blood Sugar?
Diabetes is not only a blood sugar issue. Over time, high blood glucose can affect circulation, healing, nerve function, energy levels, the eyes, kidneys, heart, skin and feet.
That is why some people notice foot pain, numbness, slower healing, reduced walking tolerance, blurred vision or greater fatigue. For related issues, read more about nerve pain, foot pain and pain and related conditions.
Common Diabetes-Related Challenges
Symptoms vary. Some people have few signs early on. Others notice thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, slower healing or recurrent infections.
- fatigue or reduced exercise tolerance
- slow healing or repeated foot problems
- numbness, tingling or burning pain in the feet
- balance changes or reduced walking confidence
- difficulty starting or maintaining regular exercise
- reduced strength, fitness or activity confidence
Foot care matters because diabetes can reduce feeling and delay healing. A minor blister, rubbing area or skin injury can become a bigger problem if it is missed. Regular foot checks and suitable footwear are important parts of long-term care.
When Should You Get Medical Help?
Seek medical review promptly if you have very high or poorly controlled blood glucose, severe fatigue, new vision changes, foot wounds, signs of infection, or worsening numbness, burning, weakness or balance loss.
Call emergency services if you feel very unwell, confused, faint, short of breath, have chest pain, or have symptoms of severe low blood glucose or diabetic ketoacidosis.
How Can Exercise Help Diabetes?
Regular exercise is one of the most practical tools for diabetes care. It may improve insulin sensitivity, support weight management, improve heart health, build strength and help many people feel more energetic.
A useful plan often includes both aerobic exercise and resistance training. Walking, cycling, swimming, gym exercise, balance work and home strength exercises can all help when they match your health, fitness and goals.
| Exercise type | Why it may help | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Aerobic exercise | Supports fitness, glucose use, heart health and energy. | Walking, cycling, swimming and low-impact classes. |
| Strength training | Builds muscle, balance, joint support and daily function. | Sit-to-stand, rows, step-ups, bands and weights. |
| Balance training | Helps if foot sensation, strength or confidence has changed. | Supported balance, stepping drills and supervised progressions. |
| Daily movement | Reduces long sitting time and supports steady habits. | Short walks, gardening, stairs and light housework. |
Exercise still needs to match the person. If blood glucose is poorly controlled, you feel unwell, or ketones are present, exercise may need to be delayed or changed. For national guidance, see the Australian physical activity guidelines.
Supervised exercise can build strength, balance and confidence.
How Can Exercise Physiology Help Diabetes?
Exercise Physiology can help you build a safe, structured exercise plan instead of relying on general advice alone. This can be useful if you are unsure where to start, returning after illness, managing other health conditions or wanting better long-term control.
Our Exercise Physiology service supports people with chronic conditions, reduced fitness and long-term health goals. For more detailed exercise advice, read our Exercise and Diabetes guide.
Could Exercise Physiology Be the Right Start?
Consider Exercise Physiology if you:
- want a plan that matches your blood glucose, medicines and fitness
- feel unsure about safe exercise intensity
- need help building strength, balance and walking tolerance
- also manage arthritis, low bone density or heart risk factors
- want support to progress over time
A physiotherapy review may be a better first step if pain, stiffness, injury or walking difficulty is limiting your movement.
Can Physiotherapy Help People With Diabetes?
Physiotherapy may help when diabetes affects movement, strength, pain or recovery. It can assist with joint stiffness, balance issues, painful feet, lower limb problems, walking confidence or return to exercise after injury.
Physiotherapy also works well with Exercise Physiology when you need both symptom support and a longer-term exercise plan. This may be useful if you also have osteoporosis or osteopenia, recurring foot pain, tendon overload or reduced balance.
How Do You Exercise Safely With Diabetes?
Safe exercise starts with the right level. Begin with a load you can repeat, then build gradually. Check your feet, wear suitable shoes, carry quick-acting carbohydrate if advised, and follow your diabetes care plan.
Some people need extra care before exercise. This includes people using insulin or medicines that can cause low blood glucose, people with reduced foot sensation, people with eye complications, and people with known heart, kidney or nerve conditions. Your GP, diabetes educator or Exercise Physiologist can help set clear safety rules.
Related PhysioWorks Guides
- Exercise and Diabetes — practical exercise planning for diabetes management.
- Exercise Physiology — supervised exercise for chronic conditions and long-term health goals.
- Foot Pain — useful if diabetes affects walking, footwear comfort or foot confidence.
- Nerve Pain — helpful for burning, tingling, shooting pain or numbness.
- Pain and Related Conditions — broader information for persistent pain and movement concerns.
- Osteoporosis — relevant when strength, balance, bone health and falls risk need support.
When Should You Seek Professional Help for Diabetes?
You should seek medical review promptly if you have poorly controlled blood glucose, significant fatigue, vision changes, numbness, burning pain, foot wounds, signs of infection or reduced walking confidence.
Early help is also sensible if you know exercise would help but are unsure how to begin safely. Depending on your needs, your care team may include your doctor, podiatrist, dietitian, diabetes educator, physiotherapist and exercise physiologist.
What to Do Next
If diabetes is affecting your movement, energy, foot health, balance or confidence with exercise, start with a professional assessment. A tailored plan is usually more practical and easier to maintain than general advice.
If your main goal is safe, structured exercise, booking an Exercise Physiology appointment may be the best next step. If pain, stiffness, walking difficulty or balance issues are holding you back, physiotherapy may also help.
Diabetes FAQs
What type of exercise is best for diabetes?
A mix of aerobic exercise, resistance training, balance work and daily movement is often useful for diabetes. The best plan depends on your age, fitness, blood glucose control, joint health, medicines and any complications.
Can Exercise Physiology help with diabetes?
Yes. Exercise Physiology can help by providing a tailored exercise plan that matches your health status, symptoms, medications and goals. This can be helpful if you have low confidence with exercise, multiple health issues, reduced fitness or want help progressing safely.
Can diabetes cause foot pain or numbness?
Yes. Diabetes can affect nerves and circulation, especially in the feet. Some people notice numbness, tingling, burning pain, altered balance or slower healing. These changes should be reviewed because reduced feeling can make foot injuries easier to miss.
Should you exercise if your blood glucose is high?
Sometimes, but not always. Exercise can help manage blood glucose, but it may need to be delayed or changed if levels are very high, you feel unwell, or ketones are present. Your doctor, diabetes educator or exercise physiologist can guide you.
Can physiotherapy help people with diabetes?
Physiotherapy may help when diabetes contributes to pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, tendon overload, foot problems, balance changes or difficulty returning to exercise. It can also work with Exercise Physiology for longer-term exercise planning.
When should someone with diabetes get their feet checked?
Feet should be checked regularly, especially if you have numbness, tingling, burning, poor healing, skin changes or a history of ulcers. Get prompt review if you notice a new wound, redness, swelling, or footwear rubbing that does not settle quickly.
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References
- American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes. Facilitating Positive Health Behaviors and Well-being to Improve Health Outcomes: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1):S89-S131. doi:10.2337/dc26-S005
- Kanaley JA, Colberg SR, Corcoran MH, et al. Exercise/Physical Activity in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: A Consensus Statement from the American College of Sports Medicine. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2022;54(2):353-368. doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000002800
- Colberg SR, Sigal RJ, Yardley JE, et al. Physical Activity/Exercise and Diabetes: A Position Statement of the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2016;39(11):2065-2079. doi:10.2337/dc16-1728
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. What is diabetes? Updated May 27, 2026. Accessed June 15, 2026.
- Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Physical activity. Accessed June 15, 2026.
