Movement, Diabetes, and Taking Ownership of Your Health

Diabetes is often treated as a purely medical problem: get your diagnosis, get your prescription, and carry on as normal. But diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition, and movement plays a central role in how well your body manages it, whether you have Type 1 or Type 2.

Many people don’t realise that biokineticists work with chronic conditions, not only injuries. This means that diabetes falls directly within our scope of practice.

How common diabetes really is in the UK

Diabetes affects far more people than most realise:

• Over 4.3 million people in the UK have a diagnosis

• 90% of cases are Type 2

• Around 8% are Type 1

• Around 850,000 people are living with diabetes but undiagnosed

• About 5 million people have pre-diabetes

Sources: Diabetes UK, NHS England

This means a significant number of people are managing a long-term condition without sufficient lifestyle support or guidance.

Why movement matters so much

Movement directly changes how your body handles glucose:

• Roughly 80% of post-meal glucose uptake happens in your skeletal muscles

• When muscles contract, they increase GLUT-4 transporter activity, pulling glucose out of the bloodstream

• Resistance training improves insulin sensitivity for 24–48 hours

• Breaking up sitting every 20–30 minutes can stabilise glucose levels for the rest of the day

• Movement regulates stress hormones, which also influence glucose control

This applies to both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

For Type 2, structured movement can often reduce reliance on medication and, in many cases, significantly improve the condition.

For Type 1, insulin remains essential, but movement helps reduce the amount required, improves hormone regulation, and supports day-to-day stability.

The missing discussion

Most people receive a diagnosis and leave with medication but very little education. They’re rarely encouraged to ask:

• Why this medication?

• Is it long-term or short-term?

• What are the side effects?

• Can lifestyle changes reduce my dosage?

• What movement approach is appropriate for my condition?

Medication isn’t the enemy, but relying on it alone, without understanding long-term implications or how lifestyle influences the condition, leaves people feeling stuck.

Taking ownership of your health

Diabetes affects hormones, metabolism, inflammation, energy, sleep, stress, and movement patterns. Understanding your diagnosis helps you make informed decisions and take an active role in your health.

Biokinetics approaches diabetes through a whole-body lens. We assess how you move, how your lifestyle supports or hinders your condition, and how targeted movement, based on you, and your body, as well as your goals, can improve your long-term outcomes.

If you’ve been diagnosed with Type 1, Type 2, or pre- diabetes

You don’t have to navigate it alone, and you don’t have to choose between medication and lifestyle- most people benefit from both.

A personalised movement assessment can help you understand what’s driving your symptoms, what’s within your control, and what changes will make the biggest difference.

If you want clarity and a plan tailored to your body, get started today. Contact me for more information.

References / Sources

Diabetes UK — Annual Report 2024NHS England — Diabetes ProgrammeNICE NG28: Type 2 Diabetes in AdultsColberg SR et al. — Exercise and Type 2 Diabetes (ACSM/ADA Position)Hawley JA & Lessard SJ — Exercise training and insulin sensitivity (J Appl Physiol)