People living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes should undertake at least two-and-a-half hours of moderate intensity aerobic exercise per week, or at least one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous intensity aerobic exercise, according to new recommendations made in the updated national physical activity guidelines for Ireland.

‘Every Move Counts’, a new guideline from the HSE and Department of Health for people living with a chronic condition like diabetes, was launched recently.

The guideline recommends that people with a long-term condition should aim to do between two hours and 30 minutes and five hours of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity per week; or between one hour and 15 minutes and two hours and 30 minutes of vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity per week; or a combination of both.

Doing this will improve bone and heart health, cognitive function and mental health for adults, according to the guideline.

It advises that people with diabetes should undertake muscle-strengthening activities at moderate or greater intensity that involve all major muscle groups on two or more days per week.

It also suggests this group should undertake multicomponent balance and strength activities on three or more days of the week to enhance functional capacity and prevent falls.