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. 2010 Jul 11;2(1):47.
doi: 10.1186/1758-5996-2-47.

Is exercise a therapeutic tool for improvement of cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus? A randomised controlled trial

Mona A Salem #  1 , Mohammed A AboElAsrar #  1 , Nancy S Elbarbary #  1 , Rana A ElHilaly #  2 , Yara M Refaat  1
Affiliations

Is exercise a therapeutic tool for improvement of cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus? A randomised controlled trial

Mona A Salem et al. Diabetol Metab Syndr. .

Abstract

Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is associated with a high risk for early atherosclerotic complications especially risk of coronary heart disease.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of six months exercise prgram on glycemic control, plasma lipids values, blood pressure, severity and frequency of hypoglycemia, anthropometric measurements and insulin dose in a sample of adolescents with T1DM.

Research design and methods: A total of 196 type 1 diabetic patients participated in the study. They were classified into three groups: Group (A) did not join the exercise program(n = 48), group (B) attended the exercise sessions once/week (n = 75), group (C) attended the exercise sessions three times/week (n = 73). Studied parameters were evaluated before and six months after exercise programe.

Results: Exercise improved glycemic control by reducing HbA1c values in exercise groups (P = 0.03, P = 0.01 respectively) and no change in those who were not physically active (P = 0.2). Higher levels of HbA1c were associated with higher levels of cholesterol, LDL-c, and triglycerides (P = 0.000 each). In both groups, B and C, frequent exercise improved dyslipidemia and reduced insulin requirements significantly (P = 0.00 both), as well as a reduction in BMI (P = 0.05, P = 0.00 respectively) and waist circumference(P = 0.02, P = 0.00 respectively). The frequency of hypoglycemic attacks were not statistically different between the control group and both intervention groups (4.7 +/- 3.56 and 4.82 +/- 4.23, P = 0.888 respectively). Reduction of blood pressure was statistically insignificant apart from the diastolic blood presure in group C (P = 0.04).

Conclusion: Exercise is an indispensable component in the medical treatment of patients with T1DM as it improves glycemic control and decreases cardiovascular risk factors among them.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A reduction in mean level of HbA1c in both groups B & C (p = 0.03, 0.01 respectively), while no change in group A(p = 0.2).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Frequent exercise was associated with statistically significant decrease in the lipid profile levels of LDL-c, TG, & cholesterol, and statistically significant increase in HDL-c in both groups B&C.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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