The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) is the national not-for-profit organization that certifies professional Clinical Exercise Physiologists (CSEP-CEPs) in Canada. CSEP-CEPs hold a minimum 4-year degree in exercise science, kinesiology or related discipline, and have passed rigorous theory and practical/clinical examinations delivered through the CSEP Professional Standards Program®.
Physical activity can help people living with diabetes achieve a variety of goals, including increased cardiorespiratory fitness, increased vigour, improved glycemic control, decreased insulin resistance, improved lipid profile, blood pressure reduction, and maintenance of weight loss. Exercise is a key component of the Diabetes Canada ABCDES of diabetes care.
Did you know? Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases, with 3.7 million Canadians currently diagnosed and a prevalence of 27% for those aged 65 and older.
There is a high return on investment for clinical exercise physiology services in treating those living with chronic conditions, notably pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes:
- For every dollar invested in clinical exercise physiology services, independent evaluations show a corresponding health care savings of $8.8 dollars for those living with type 2 diabetes and $6.0 for those living with pre-diabetes through improved wellbeing, greater consumer productivity and reduced consumer health system expenditure.
- Health economics evaluations also reveal the total costs averted per person receiving exercise intervention delivered by a Clinical Exercise Physiologist, which are estimated to be $5,107 annually and $1,977 annually respectively for those living with type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes.
- Furthermore, productivity losses among those living with diabetes are estimated to average 13.2 days lost per person annually, which can be reduced by approximately 25% per person through lifestyle intervention.
The recognition of physical activity, delivered by qualified exercise professional, as an important treatment option to treat those living with chronic conditions is gaining momentum in Canada. In British Columbia, a project is now underway to introduce and hire CSEP-CEPs to support their health care system demands. This is being done through the Ministry of Health and in collaboration with the academic system to ensure candidates are properly prepared and trained for success.
More support is required from government to recognize and invest in the inclusion of Clinical Exercise Physiologists in Canada to effectively and efficiently help those living with diabetes to achieve improved health through clinical exercise therapy. The impact assessment is substantial, economically viable and complimentary to existing therapies.
Physical activity recommendations to support health for those living with diabetes:
- People with diabetes should accumulate a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise each week, spread over at least 3 days of the week, with no more than 2 consecutive days without exercise.
- People living with diabetes should perform resistance exercise at least twice a week and preferably 3 times per week in addition to aerobic exercise.
- People with diabetes should set specific physical activity goals, anticipate likely barriers to physical activity (e.g. weather, competing commitments), develop strategies to overcome these barriers, and keep records of their physical activity.
- Structured exercise programs supervised by clinical exercise physiologists should be implemented when feasible for people with type 2 diabetes to improve glycemic control, CVD risk factors and physical fitness.
The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) is a Sponsor of the Parliamentary Health Research Caucus Panel and Luncheon, Exploring the Future of Diabetes Treatment, Management and Prevention.
