CDCES Exercise and Physical Activity Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary mechanism by which aerobic exercise lowers blood glucose in individuals with type 2 diabetes?
- Increased insulin secretion from the pancreas
- Enhanced glucose uptake by muscle cells via GLUT4 translocation independent of insulin (Correct answer)
- Reduced glucagon release from the liver
- Decreased intestinal glucose absorption
Correct answer: Enhanced glucose uptake by muscle cells via GLUT4 translocation independent of insulin
Aerobic exercise promotes GLUT4 translocation to muscle cell membranes, allowing glucose uptake independent of insulin, which lowers blood glucose levels.
Question 2: According to the American Diabetes Association, adults with diabetes should aim for at least how many minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week?
- 75 minutes
- 120 minutes
- 150 minutes (Correct answer)
- 200 minutes
Correct answer: 150 minutes
The ADA recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, spread over at least 3 days with no more than 2 consecutive days without activity.
Question 3: A patient with type 1 diabetes wants to begin an exercise program. Which blood glucose level should prompt the CDCES to advise the patient to postpone exercise and check urine or blood ketones?
- Above 180 mg/dL
- Above 240 mg/dL (Correct answer)
- Above 300 mg/dL
- Above 350 mg/dL
Correct answer: Above 240 mg/dL
In type 1 diabetes, exercise with blood glucose above 240 mg/dL warrants checking for ketones, as exercising in a ketotic state can worsen hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis.
Question 4: Exercise-induced delayed hypoglycemia (also called late-onset hypoglycemia) most commonly occurs at what time after prolonged aerobic exercise?
- 0–2 hours post-exercise
- 2–4 hours post-exercise
- 6–15 hours post-exercise (Correct answer)
- 24–36 hours post-exercise
Correct answer: 6–15 hours post-exercise
Late-onset hypoglycemia typically occurs 6–15 hours after prolonged aerobic exercise as muscles replenish glycogen stores, increasing glucose uptake overnight.
Question 5: What is the minimum blood glucose level generally recommended before a person with insulin-treated diabetes begins moderate exercise to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia?
- 70 mg/dL
- 90 mg/dL
- 100 mg/dL (Correct answer)
- 126 mg/dL
Correct answer: 100 mg/dL
A pre-exercise blood glucose of at least 100 mg/dL is generally recommended for insulin-treated patients to provide a safety buffer against exercise-induced glucose lowering.
Question 6: Which of the following is a well-established benefit of resistance (strength) training for individuals with type 2 diabetes?
- Reduction in circulating insulin levels
- Increased lean muscle mass leading to improved insulin sensitivity (Correct answer)
- Suppression of glucagon secretion
- Reduction in hepatic glucose production during exercise
Correct answer: Increased lean muscle mass leading to improved insulin sensitivity
Resistance training increases lean muscle mass, which improves insulin sensitivity and enhances the body's ability to utilize glucose, benefiting long-term glycemic control.
Question 7: A CDCES is advising a patient on the FITT principle for exercise prescription. What does the letter 'T' (second T) stand for in this acronym?
- Timing
- Tempo
- Type (Correct answer)
- Tolerance
Correct answer: Type
In the FITT principle (Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type), the second T stands for Type, referring to the kind of exercise recommended, such as aerobic, resistance, or flexibility training.
CDCES Exercise and Physical Activity Management 1
What is the primary mechanism by which aerobic exercise lowers blood glucose in individuals with type 2 diabetes?