title: Exercise prescription for patients with type 2 diabetes-a synthesis of international recommendations: narrative review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Physical activity is a cornerstone of type 2 diabetes treatment and control.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We analysed and synthesised the guidelines and recommendations issued by scientific organisations, regarding exercise prescription for patients with type 2 diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic bibliographic search in Pubmed, Web of Science and Scopus databases was conducted. Clinical guidelines from major international scientific organisations in the field of diabetology, endocrinology, cardiology, public health and sports medicine were also considered. 11 publications were selected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Published guidelines recommend a weekly accumulation of a minimum of 150 min of aerobic exercise at moderate-to-vigorous intensity spread over a minimum of 3 days per week. Resistance exercise for muscle strengthening is also recommended at least 2 days a week. Flexibility exercises may complement other types of exercise. Combining aerobic and resistance exercise within the same exercise session is recommended by most guidelines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exercise prescription for individuals with type 2 diabetes should include specific information on the type, mode, duration, intensity and weekly frequency. The exercise strategies must be adapted for each individual, based on comorbidities, contraindications and realistic personal goals.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Unit, ACES Douro I-Marão e Douro Norte, Vila Real, Portugal.|Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Romeu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mendes
authors.affiliation: Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Nelson
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.affiliation: Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: António
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: Diabetes Unit, Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Hospital Centre, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Subtil
authors.affiliation: Public Health Unit, ACES Douro I-Marão e Douro Norte, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guedes-Marques
authors.affiliation: Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Victor Machado
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.affiliation: University of Beira Interior; Cova da Beira Hospital Centre, Covilhã, Portugal.
authors.forename: José Luís
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Themudo-Barata
mesh_terms: D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000628:therapy*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012955:Societies, Medical
keywords: Diabetes; Exercise; Health promotion; Non-communicable disease; Physical activity