Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. T1D patients on insulin pumps stand to benefit by
engaging in aerobic exercise, revealed a team researchers who conducted a
three-month observational study on two groups of diabetes patients.
When
compared to patients in the study who did not exercise, patients in the
study group who engaged in aerobic exercise benefited by improving
their metabolic control, reducing their insulin requirement, and a saw a
reduction in the number of hyperglycemic events they experienced.
The study, carried out by a team of researchers in Milan, Italy, and Miami, Florida, will be published in a future issue of
Cell Transplantation.
‘Type 1 diabetes patients on insulin pumps stand to benefit by engaging in aerobic exercise, revealed a new study.’
The clinical study focused on middle-aged T1D patients on insulin
pump therapy and aimed at gathering data on metabolic activity, and
inflammatory and autoimmune parameters. Having conducted similar studies
previously with animals modeled with T1D, the researchers hypothesized
that aerobic, physical activity might also positively regulate
autoimmunity and help prevent diabetes-related complications in humans.
"We found that being physically active can improve glycemic control
for patients with type 1 diabetes," said study co-author Dr. Livio Luzi
of the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Miller
School of Medicine in Miami, Florida and the Metabolism Research Center
at IRCCS Policlinico San Donato in San Donato Milanese, Italy, who
worked with colleagues based in Milan, Italy. "Our results suggest that
an educational program addressed to T1D patients, and focused on insulin
injecting monitoring, diet, and exercise, is highly advantageous for
management of T1D. "
According to the researchers, the six patients in the exercise arm
of the study (ACT) when compared to the seven study patients that did
not exercise and were sedentary (SED), seemed to have more responsible
behavior in monitoring their glucose levels.
They concluded that further studies with larger groups of
participants should be carried out, but that their results on a small
number of patients should be considered "primary predictors of
exercise-induced metabolic improvements in T1D patients."
"The current study provides physiological data that demonstrate
exercise is an important factor in improving and managing type 1
diabetes," said Rodolfo Alejandro of the University of Miami School of
Medicine in Miami, Florida and section editor for
Cell Transplantation.
"With the increasing rate of diabetes, including an exercise program as
part of treatment is highly recommended and, when coupled with insulin
therapy, may yield better results for patients. Future studies should
explore mechanisms of action related to exercise-mediated
immunomodulation with a larger sample of the population."
Source: Eurekalert
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