A recent study has shed light on the most effective types of exercise for people with type 1 diabetes, revealing that customising exercise routines based on gender can help manage blood sugar levels.

The study was conducted in collaboration between the Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco and Staffordshire University, and the findings were published in The American Journal of Cardiology.

According to Dr Pooya Soltani of Staffordshire University, this research is important because many people with type 1 diabetes are reluctant to exercise, often because they worry about dropping blood sugar levels, which can cause discomfort and lack motivation.

The study included 19 participants with type 1 diabetes who performed two different types of aerobic exercise in randomized trials to measure their glycemic and cardiovascular responses.

Exercise consisted of 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity on a treadmill.

Participants either took part in interval aerobic sessions, involving 1-minute intervals of exercise at 40% and 60% of their predicted maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), or continuous exercise at 50% VO2max.

Key health indicators such as heart rate, blood pressure and blood sugar levels were measured before, immediately after and 20 minutes after the exercise session.

In addition, the researchers assessed participants’ levels of exertion and enjoyment.

The study found that cardiovascular responses and levels of pleasure were similar in people of both sexes, but there were significant differences in blood sugar levels between men and women.

Men experienced more significant decreases in blood sugar immediately and 20 minutes after continuous aerobic exercise and immediately after interval exercise.

In contrast, women experienced a decrease in blood sugar only after sustained exercise.

Dr. Jorge Luiz de Brito-Gomes, of the Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, explained that for male patients, interval exercises such as short walks are more appropriate when starting from lower blood sugar levels.

On the other hand, sustained exercises such as running are more suitable for higher initial blood sugar levels, to prevent a sudden drop.

For female patients, both types of exercise appear to be effective starting points.

For men: Interval exercise, such as taking a short walk, is better when starting at a low blood sugar level. Continuous exercise, such as running, is more appropriate when blood sugar levels are higher, as it helps prevent sudden drops in glucose.

For women: Both interval and continuous aerobic exercise are effective starting points, regardless of initial blood sugar levels.

The researchers hope these findings will encourage healthcare providers to consider gender-specific recommendations when prescribing aerobic exercise for type 1 diabetes patients, especially men with irregular physical activity patterns.

What is Type 1 Diabetes?

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), around 95,600 children under the age of 14 in India will be affected by type 1 diabetes in 2022.

Diabetes is a lifestyle disorder affecting millions of people worldwide, and is caused by excessively high levels of glucose in the blood – the body’s primary source of energy.

In diabetes, the hormone insulin, which helps move glucose into the body’s cells, is either insufficient or not produced by the pancreas. This results in excess glucose remaining in the bloodstream instead of reaching the cells.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body produces little or no insulin. It is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, but it can occur at any age.