Physical Exercise and Falling among Older Patients with Diabetes: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Both diabetes mellitus (DM) and aging have an effect on gait behavior, balance, muscle performance, and other medical complications related to the development of diabetic neuropathy, hypoglycemia, hypotension, cognitive impairment, pain, disturbed proprioceptions, and polypharmacy. The main goal of the present review study was to identify risk variables for hypoglycemia-influenced falling in DM older people, to suggest protective interventions to reduce the occurrence and to explore the effect of physical exercise on falling among elderly individuals with DM. In July 2021, these keywords were used to search Google Scholar, PubMed, Embase: falling in elderly, DM complications, insulin, hypoglycemia, and physical exercise. Because falls are so common during activities, it is critical to figure out what elements influence balance and walking activity. Multi-medications, cognitive dysfunction, dementia, urinary incontinence, depression status, and hypoglycemia are just some of the issues that can affect the elements of controlling balance directly during motion. Others, such as multi-medications, cognitive dysfunction, dementia, urinary incontinence, depression status, and hypoglycemia, can affect balance control indirectly by disrupting posture mobility. Exercise training has been shown to increase body performance and reduce joint discomfort, as well as improve psychological status and quality of life, muscular strength and balance, lower the chance of falling, and improve overall health in the aged and older adults.