Beyond glycemic control: benefits of physical activity on the quality of life of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a narrative review

Abstract

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a disease that transcends glycemic alteration, profoundly affecting patients' physical, psychological, and social quality of life. This review comprehensively addresses the crucial role of physical activity in managing T2DM. Using a rigorous search strategy, thirty-seven relevant articles were identified, excluding those that did not meet the defined inclusion criteria. The physiological and metabolic adaptations induced by exercise were explored through a detailed analysis, highlighting their impact on organic homeostasis, and preventing complications. Global barriers to physical activity adoption, from cultural perceptions to socioeconomic constraints. The results emphasize physical activity as a dynamic intervention that encompasses multiple organ systems and transcends as an essential component in the therapeutic arsenal against T2DM, placing it in parallel with traditional interventions. In conclusion, this paper highlights the role of activity as an essential tool that offers multifaceted benefits supporting the improvement of the quality of life of patients with T2DM, calling for its promotion as a therapeutic pillar.