Study provides insights for personal trainers and health coaches to tailor safe and effective exercise programs for people with diabetes
A recent study provides new insights into the best types of exercise for people with type 1 diabetes. The study, which focused on optimizing training for people with diabetes, revealed significant gender differences in how male and female people with type 1 diabetes respond to various types of aerobic exercise.
The findings highlight the need for tailored exercise plans to avoid potentially dangerous drops in blood sugar levels, and may inform the design of personal training programs.
Key insights from the study
Dr Pooya Soltani, Staffordshire University The study’s lead researcherExplains the motivation for the study: “People with diabetes often lack motivation to manage their condition through exercise. One reason for this is that physical activity can cause a drop in blood sugar, which can cause discomfort and lack of motivation. We investigated whether this physical activity could mitigate the drop in blood sugar.”
The study involved 19 participants with type 1 diabetes who underwent two randomized trials to measure their glycemic and cardiovascular responses after intermittent and continuous aerobic exercise. Both types of exercise were performed on a treadmill for 30 minutes, alternating between 1-minute intervals of interval aerobic exercise at 40% and 60% of estimated maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) and continuous exercise at 50% of VO2max.
The results showed that although cardiovascular responses, perceived exertion, and enjoyment were similar across genders and exercise sessions, Blood sugar response between male and female participants.
Men had greater drops in blood sugar levels immediately after continuous aerobic exercise, 20 minutes after exercise, and after intermittent exercise. In contrast, women had drops in blood sugar levels only after continuous exercise.
“Our study suggests that intermittent exercise, such as short walks, is a better option for men when blood sugar levels are low,” said study co-author Jorge Luiz de Brito-Gomes, PhD. “In contrast, continuous exercise, such as running, is better for those whose initial blood sugar levels are higher. These approaches can help prevent sudden drops in blood sugar.”
He added: “Both intermittent and continuous aerobic exercise appear to be effective starting points for female patients. We hope these findings suggest that aerobic exercise prescription should consider gender-specific recommendations, especially for men with irregular physical activity levels.”
While the findings appear promising, it is important to acknowledge the limitations of this study, including the small sample size (only 19 participants), which limits the generalizability of the results. Additionally, the study focused on the immediate and short-term responses following exercise, such as blood sugar levels 20 minutes after exercise. It did not explore long-term effects. Finally, the exercise was performed in a controlled laboratory setting and may not fully replicate real-world exercise conditions, as a variety of factors may affect the blood sugar response.
This study highlights the importance of considering sex-specific responses when designing exercise programs for people with type 1 diabetes and recommends that exercise should account for differences in glycemic responses between men and women and that blood glucose levels be closely monitored to prevent hypoglycemia.
The study authors encourage health practitioners to closely monitor each client’s response to exercise and adjust the program as needed. While the study focused on short-term effects, trainers should also consider the long-term effects of regular exercise on diabetes management to ensure continued, safe physical activity.
See also: Patients on GLP-1 medications need personalized nutrition plans
