A new study has revealed the most effective types of exercise for individuals with type-1 diabetes.

“This study is significant because diabetic patients often lack the motivation to exercise to manage their condition,” explained Dr Pooya Soltani from Staffordshire University.

One reason for this is that physical activity can lead to drops in blood sugar, which can cause discomfort and demotivation. We investigated whether the type of physical activity could mitigate these blood sugar drops.

19 individuals with type 1 diabetes participated in two randomized trials to assess glycemic and cardiovascular responses following interval and continuous exercise.

Participants completed 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise on a treadmill. The interval session involved alternating 1-minute intervals at 40% and 60% of estimated maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). The continuous exercise was performed at 50% of VO2max.

Heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels were measured before, immediately after, and 20 minutes after the sessions. Rates of perceived exertion and enjoyment levels were also assessed.

Similar cardiovascular, rates of perceived exertion, and enjoyment levels were found across genders and sessions. However, the research identified differences in blood glucose levels between male and female participants, with greater reductions in men.

Men exhibited higher blood glucose reductions immediately after and 20 minutes after continuous aerobic exercise, as well as immediately after interval exercise; on the other hand, women showed reduced blood glucose values only after continuous exercise.

The study findings indicate that considering gender-specific differences is crucial when prescribing exercise for type-1 diabetes patients. This is to prevent excessive glucose decreases that can lead to episodes of hypoglycemia.

Dr. Jorge Luiz de Brito-Gomes from Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco stated, “Our study demonstrated that for male patients, interval exercise, such as short bursts of walking, is preferable when starting with low blood sugar levels. On the other hand, continuous exercise, such as running, is more suitable for those with higher initial blood sugar levels. These approaches can help prevent sudden blood sugar drops.”

“For female patients, both interval and continuous aerobic exercise seem to be effective starting points. These findings suggest that gender-specific recommendations should be considered for aerobic exercise prescription, particularly for men with irregular physical activity levels.”