What intensity range is used in diabetes guidelines (as a percentage of HRmax)?

• A. 10-30% HRmax
• B. 50-90% HRmax
• C. 30-50% HRmax
• D. 70-100% HRmax

Answer: (B)

Diabetes guidelines prescribe exercise intensity as a percentage of HRmax to tailor effort to each person while balancing safety and benefits. The recommended range is 50-90% of HRmax, covering both moderate (roughly 50-70%) and vigorous (70-90%) effort. Monitoring heart rate helps keep you in this window, with 220 minus age as a common way to estimate HRmax. The lower end provides a sustainable stimulus for most people and supports improvements in glucose control, while the higher end offers greater metabolic benefits for those who can tolerate it and are cleared to do so. Going below 50% is typically not strong enough to drive meaningful gains, and exceeding 90% can pose safety risks, especially for individuals with diabetes who may have cardiovascular or autonomic considerations.