Immobility has been linked to diabetes complications ranging from stroke to vision loss

These are the conclusions reached by the authors of a new study published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science.

The team analysed data from almost 2.4 million participants from 27 previously conducted studies around the world. The researchers compared physical activity levels in people with diabetes and what diabetes-associated complications they developed.

Physical inactivity was defined in the paper as the inability to accumulate at least 150 minutes per week of moderateto vigorous activity, the threshold used in physical activity guidelines.

The authors calculated that physical inactivity among people with diabetes accounted for approx:

• 10.2% of strokes;

• 9.7% of diabetic retinopathy;

• 7.3% of heart failure;

• up to 7% of cases of coronary heart disease.

The study also noted that women and those with lower levels of education had consistently higher rates of complications associated with lack of movement. The authors emphasise: diabetes complications are often perceived as inevitable, but the results show that a sizeable proportion of the risks can potentially be reduced by an "achievable" increase in activity.

At the same time, the researchers caution against a one-size-fits-all prescription: habitual sources of activity vary by region. In wealthier countries, people are more likely to 'pick up' movement in their free time, while in lower-income countries, a significant proportion of activity is spent at work and on everyday tasks. Therefore, support measures need to be tailored to the local context and work separately with social and gender inequalities.