Best Forms of Exercise for Diabetes

According to a new study, the optimum type of exercise for controlling type 1 diabetes differs by gender, with men benefiting from personalized interval workouts depending on their baseline blood sugar levels and women reacting well to both interval and continuous exercises. This study supports individualized exercise guidelines for preventing hypoglycemia.

Study Methodology

19 people with type-1 diabetes participated in two randomized trials to measure glycemic and cardiovascular responses after interval exercise and continuous exercise.

All participants took part in 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise on a treadmill. The interval aerobic session involved alternating 1-minute intervals at 40% and 60% of estimated maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). The continuous exercise was performed at 50% of VO2max.

Heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels were measured before, immediately after, and 20 minutes after the sessions. Rates of perceived exertion and enjoyment levels were also assessed.

Similar cardiovascular rates of perceived exertion, and enjoyment levels were found across genders and sessions. However, the research identified differences in blood glucose levels between male and female participants, with greater reductions in men.

Gender-Specific Findings

Men showed a higher rate of blood glucose reductions immediately after and 20 minutes after continuous aerobic exercise, as well as immediately after interval exercise. In contrast, women showed reduced blood glucose values only after continuous exercise.

For female patients, both interval and continuous aerobic exercise appear to be effective starting points. We hope these findings show that gender-specific recommendations should be considered for aerobic exercise prescription, especially for men with irregular physical activity levels.”

 Reference: “Gender-Related Glycemic and Cardiovascular Responses After Continuous and Interval Aerobic Sessions in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes: A Randomized Crossover Study” by Tamy Beatriz Freire de Sá Martins, Orlando Vieira Gomes, Pooya Soltani, Thalles Henrique Rodrigues Oliveira and Jorge Luiz de Brito-Gomes, 31 July 2024, The American Journal of Cardiology.