Exercise Prescription Principles among Physicians and Physical Therapists for Patients with Impaired Glucose Control: A Cross-Sectional Study

Exercise confers a multitude of benefits with limited adverse side effects, making it a powerful “medication” for a plethora of diseases. In people living with uncontrolled glucose levels, exercise can be an effective “medication” to assist in the management of hyperglycemia. We sought to survey healthcare providers (physicians and physical therapists) to determine the current state of exercise recommendation for people with glucose control issues. Healthcare providers were surveyed from six academic medical centers in the Midwest to determine the recommended exercise parameters (type, frequency, duration, intensity, and timing) for patients with glucose control issues. Data from 209 practitioners who completed the survey were used for analysis. Chi-square tests were used to determine differences in exercise recommendations between physical therapists (PTs) and physicians (MD/DOs). PTs and MD/DOs recommended similar exercise parameters. Of all respondents, 78.9% recommended exercise to patients with glucose control issues. Respondents who considered themselves to be active exercisers were more likely to recommend exercise than those who were not exercisers. Only 6.1% of all respondents recommended post-meal exercise. Healthcare providers overwhelmingly recommended exercise for people with glucose control issues, but the “timing” is not congruent with best practice recommendations.