PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND JUVENILE DIABETES—SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Abstract. Larsson, Y. (Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden). Physical exercise and juvenile diabetes.—Summary and conclusions. Acta Paediatr Scand, Suppl. 283: 120, 1980.—The various metabolic effects of physical exercise in ketotic diabetics, non-ketotic diabetics and non-diabetics are summarized. A favorable metabolic effect is only observed during optimal insulin administration, while in ketotic diabetics exercise may aggravate the metabolic situation. The use of exercise as a tool in the routine treatment of young diabetics is described. Activity-produced hypoglycemia should be prevented through an adequate food intake and through patient education. Regular exercise may postpone the appearance of diabetic microangiopathy.