Type 1 diabetes linked to lower fitness capacity

People with type 1 diabetes appear to have lower fitness capacity relative to their peers without the condition, despite having similar levels of physical activity, according to a study.

The cross-sectional study included 232 participants with type 1 diabetes and 248 no-diabetes control participants. The mean age was similar between the type 1 diabetes group and the control group (37.6 vs 36.5 years), but the proportion of women was lower in the type 1 diabetes group (36.6 percent vs 53.2 percent; p<0.001).

All participants reported their physical activity levels using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Researchers evaluated adherence to physical activity guidelines (>150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) and fitness capacity (VO₂max, maximal incremental test on a cycle ergometer and 1RM test), along with other clinical variables.

There were no significant differences between type 1 diabetes and control groups in terms of total physical activity levels (2,202 vs 2,357 METs/min/week), adherence (53.1 percent vs 53.2 percent), and sedentariness (27.3 percent vs 25.1 percent).

However, the type 1 diabetes group had significantly lower levels of VO₂max (29.1 vs 32.5 mlO₂/kg/min; p<0.001), work capacity (2.73 vs 3.00 W/kg of body weight; p=0.004), and strength capacity (2.29 vs 2.41 kg/kg body weight in 1RM; p=0.01).

In addition, these differences in cardiorespiratory and strength capacities persisted even among participants who met the adherence criteria for the physical activity recommendations.