Intense physical activity is associated with better metabolic control in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Objectives: To analyze the association between adherence to physical activity guideline recommendations and metabolic control in patients with type 1 diabetes (DM1).

Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in 130 adult DM1 patients from Spain with a mean age of 33.9±11.5 years and disease duration of 16.5±9.5 years. We analyzed several clinical, anthropometric and laboratory variables together with information obtained from the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire.

Results: Evaluated patients reported an average of 850.6±493.2min of physical activity per week, being classified as light (567.4±425.4min/week), moderate (169.9±212.1min/week) and intense activities (120.6±184.2). Patients who dedicated more time to intense physical activity were younger, had university studies and were males more often than those who spent none or less time on intense physical activity. We observed no differences in HbA1c levels in relation to time dedicated to moderate physical activities. However, patients who dedicated more than 150min to intense physical activity per week had lower levels of HbA1c (HbA1c: 7.2±1.0% versus 7.8±1.1% versus 8.0±1.0% in more than 149min, between 0 and 149min or 0min of intense physical activity per week, respectively).

Conclusion: Performing more than 150min of intense physical activity a week is associated with better metabolic control in type 1 Spanish patients. No positive impact in metabolic control was observed in relation to the time spent in moderate physical activity.