Study Highlights Optimal Exercise Types for Type 1 Diabetes Management

Research offers insights for personal trainers and health coaches to tailor safe and effective workout plans for diabetic clients

A recent study has shed new light on the best types of exercise for patients with type-1 diabetes. The research, which focused on optimizing training for diabetic patients, reveals significant gender-specific differences in how men and women with type 1 diabetes respond to various forms of aerobic exercise.

The findings emphasize the need for tailored exercise programs to avoid potentially dangerous drops in blood sugar levels, potentially informing personal training program design.

Key Insights from the Study

Dr. Pooya Soltani from Staffordshire University, a lead researcher in the study , explained the motivation behind the research: “Diabetic patients often lack motivation to exercise as a means of managing their condition. One reason for this is that physical activity can lead to blood sugar drops, causing discomfort and demotivation. We investigated whether the type of physical activity could mitigate these blood sugar drops.”

The study involved 19 participants with type 1 diabetes who underwent two randomized trials to measure their glycemic and cardiovascular responses after engaging in interval and continuous aerobic exercise. Both exercise types were performed for 30 minutes on a treadmill, with interval aerobic sessions alternating between 1-minute intervals at 40% and 60% of estimated maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), while continuous exercise was maintained at 50% of VO2max.

The study’s results indicated that while cardiovascular responses, perceived exertion and enjoyment levels were similar across genders and exercise sessions, there were notable differences in blood glucose responses between male and female participants.

Men experienced greater reductions in blood glucose levels immediately after and 20 minutes following continuous aerobic exercise, as well as after interval exercise. In contrast, women showed reduced blood glucose values only after continuous exercise.

“Our study showed that for male patients, interval exercise, such as short bursts of walking, is preferable when starting with low blood sugar levels,” said Dr. Jorge Luiz de Brito-Gomes, a co-author of the study. “Conversely, continuous exercise, like running, is more suitable for those with higher initial blood sugar levels. These approaches can help prevent sudden blood sugar drops.”

He added, “For female patients, both interval and continuous aerobic exercise appear to be effective starting points. We hope these findings show that gender-specific recommendations should be considered for aerobic exercise prescription, especially for men with irregular physical activity levels.”

While the findings appear promising, it’s important to acknowledge the study’s limitations, which includes a small sample size (only 19 participants), limiting the generalizability of the results. Also, the study primarily examined immediate and short-term responses to exercise, such as blood glucose levels 20 minutes post-exercise. It did not explore the long-term effects. Finally, the exercise sessions were conducted in a controlled laboratory setting, which may not fully replicate real-world exercise conditions where various factors could influence blood glucose responses.

This study emphasizes the importance of considering gender-specific responses when designing exercise programs for clients with type-1 diabetes and suggests that workouts should account for differences in blood glucose responses between men and women, with close monitoring of glucose levels to prevent hypoglycemia.

Study authors encouraged health practitioners to monitor each client’s response to exercise closely and adjust programs as needed. While the research focuses on immediate effects, it is important for trainers to also consider the long-term impact of regular exercise on diabetes management to ensure consistent and safe physical activity.

See also: Need for Personalized Nutrition Protocols for People on GLP-1 Medications

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