The Effects of Physical Training on Blood Lipid Profiles in Adolescents With Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus.

In brief: Fourteen adolescents (eight females and six males) with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) participated in a 12-week exercise program consisting of three 45-minute sessions per week. Exercise consisted of calisthenic warm-up and stretching (ten minutes), aerobic movement to music (25 minutes at 80% V o2 max), and cool-down (ten minutes). The purpose was to determine whether and to what degree such training would bring about changes in blood lipid and lipoprotein profiles in such patients. The authors found a significant decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concomitant to an increase in V o2 max with no change in glycemic control. These findings support the beneficial effects of regular exercise for individuals with IDDM.