How does exercise affect my insulin therapy?

Exercise may lower your insulin requirements, and this effect can last for several hours if the exercise is strenuous. Since your muscles use glucose more efficiently during exercise, your usual dose of insulin can have a greater effect in lowering your blood glucose.

Also, if you inject your insulin in an area near a major muscle group such as your thigh, the onset of effect from your insulin may be quicker.

Therefore, if you anticipate that your activity level will be substantially increased, you should be alert for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, and you should take care not to delay or skip a meal. If you are planning to begin a more vigorous exercise plan, work with your health care provider to adjust your insulin doses before beginning your program.