Exercise enhances glycaemic control in T1D

Engaging in physical activity appears to improve blood sugar levels in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who are receiving insulin, as shown in a study.

The analysis included 95 people with T1D (mean age 30.1 years, 51.6 percent women) who were undergoing insulin pump therapy. The completed a questionnaire that detailed exercise habits, usual adjustments in insulin and food intake with exercise, and main barriers to exercise.

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was used to measure time in range (TIR), time below range (TBR), and time above range (TAR) during the last 60 days before the evaluation. CGM data during, 2 hours before, and 24 hours after the last bout of exercise was also assessed.

Of the study participants, 55.8 percent reported engaging in exercise. Compared with those who did not, the participants who exercised had a higher TIR (mean, 59.6 vs 48.7; p=0.012) and a lower TAR (mean, 32.6 vs 45.4; p=0.006).

Looking at the 60 days CGM data, TBR was found to be lower 2 hours before exercise (−1.8; p=0.0454), whereas TAR was lower during (−16.9; p=0.0320) and 24 hours after (−8.7; p=0.032) the last bout of exercise.

Making no adjustments on insulin and food intake correlated with higher TBR after the exercise (13.44; p<0.05). Moreover, eating before the exercise and turning off the pump during the exercise correlated with lower TBR after exercise (food booster: − 7.56, p<0.05; turning off insulin pump: −8.87, p<0.05).

Fear of hypoglycaemia, lack of free time, and work schedule were reported as the main barriers for exercise.