When we are diagnosed with any health issue, the first thing a doctor recommends is to make certain lifestyle changes including regular exercise. Exercising regularly has immense health benefits, from keeping your heart health in check to keeping your blood sugar levels in control, regular exercise is a must. A recent study involving 19 participants with type 1 diabetes examined the effects of two different types of aerobic exercise on their glycemic and cardiovascular responses. The participants performed 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise on a treadmill to evaluate these effects.

The exercise routines included two formats: interval aerobic sessions, which alternated between 1-minute intervals at 40 per cent and 60 per cent of their estimated maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), and continuous exercise at a steady 50 per cent VO2max. Key health indicators such as heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels were monitored before, immediately after, and 20 minutes following each exercise session. Researchers assessed the participants' perceived exertion and enjoyment during the exercises.

The study found that cardiovascular responses and enjoyment levels were similar for both men and women. However, significant differences were observed in blood glucose levels between genders. Men experienced more substantial reductions in blood glucose levels immediately after and 20 minutes following continuous aerobic exercise, as well as immediately after interval exercise. In contrast, women showed a decrease in blood glucose only after continuous exercise.

Dr Jorge Luiz de Brito-Gomes from Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco explained that for men with type 1 diabetes, interval exercises, like short bursts of walking, are more suitable when starting with lower blood sugar levels. Continuous exercises, such as running, are better when starting with higher blood sugar levels to avoid sudden drops. For women, both interval and continuous aerobic exercises are effective regardless of initial blood sugar levels.

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

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

Diabetes is a widespread lifestyle disorder affecting millions of people globally, characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood, which is the body’s main source of energy.

In people with diabetes, the hormone insulin, which helps transport glucose into the body’s cells, is either produced in insufficient amounts or not at all by the pancreas. As a result, glucose remains in the bloodstream rather than being absorbed by the cells, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.

Type 1 diabetes specifically occurs when the body produces little to no insulin. Although it is most commonly diagnosed in children and young adults, it can develop at any age.

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