Exercise and physical activity involve moving your muscles.  Moving your muscles means the muscles will contract. Using your muscles in this way stimulates the uptake of glucose by your muscles.

For those without diabetes, the glucose uptake by muscles is balanced by other hormones so that the blood glucose stays within a normal range.  For those with diabetes, exercise may cause the blood glucose to fall. This is more often true for those with type 1 diabetes and taking insulin.

Exercise’s effect on blood glucose is transient, meaning it doesn’t last. For exercise to have a more lasting effect on blood glucose regulation, exercise should be performed consistently every two to three days.