Physical activity and keeping a healthy weight can help you take control of your diabetes and prevent diabetic problems, such as your blood sugar levels and insulin not being absorbed. During exercise, your body will break down carbohydrates and glycogen into glucose (sugar). This helps maintain your blood sugar levels. The second process your body completes is called lipolysis. It is where your body begins to break down fat into glycerol and then into glucose (sugar). In the water, you burn about 40% more calories. Calories are a unit of energy, thus by using more energy, you convert more fat into glucose and more glucose into energy. This will allow you to reduce your weight and improve the absorption of insulin by your body. Building and using muscle through exercise can help prevent high blood sugar and help you lose weight.

     Diabetics tend to have poor circulation. Staying active can help improve circulation, especially when using aquatic therapy because of the hydrostatic pressure. The therapy pools are heated, which automatically make your veins and arteries dilate. The dilation allows more blood flow. The contraction and relaxation of muscles act as a pump, moving the blood with more force than if you were not being active. As you keep exercise routine, your heart will begin to become stronger. A stronger heart means that more blood will be pumped through your body, resulting in lowered heart rate and decreased blood pressure. 

     Neuropathy can be a symptom of diabetes. Aquatic therapy allows diabetic people with neuropathy to walk around and build strength in their legs, arms, or anything that is affected by the neuropathy. The water allows objects less dense than water to float. There are certain parts of your body that are less dense that water, which is air, most connective tissues, and fat. Due to the floatable parts of your body, the water will allow people, who normally cannot walk on land, walk in the water. The water also provides more resistance than air. This resistance allows for muscular development and more awareness of how your body is moving in the water. This awareness allows for some nerves to regenerate.