Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Practice Exam

In an individual with unstable proliferative retinopathy, which type of exercise is considered highest risk?

1. Swimming laps with lane guards

2. Stationary cycling

3. Treadmill walking

4. Push-ups

The correct answer is: Push-ups

In individuals with unstable proliferative retinopathy, high-impact undirected movements or exercises that significantly increase blood pressure and exert strain on the body can pose the greatest risk. Push-ups, which involve lifting the entire body weight and engaging the upper body vigorously, can lead to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure and exacerbate retinal damage. While swimming laps, stationary cycling, and treadmill walking are lower-impact activities and generally considered safer forms of exercise due to their controlled nature and lesser impact on blood pressure, push-ups lack this control and can introduce instability, particularly in those with compromised vision or eye health. The dynamic movement involved in push-ups, combined with the potential for increased cardiovascular stress, makes this exercise particularly risky for someone with unstable proliferative retinopathy, where careful management of eye health is paramount.