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. 2021 Jul 10:25:100261.
doi: 10.1016/j.jcte.2021.100261. eCollection 2021 Sep.

"CoVidentary": An online exercise training program to reduce sedentary behaviours in children with type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic

Valeria Calcaterra  1   2 , Dario Iafusco  3 , Vittoria Carnevale Pellino  4   5 , Chiara Mameli  1   6 , Gianluca Tornese  7 , Antonietta Chianese  3 , Crescenzo Cascella  3 , Maddalena Macedoni  1 , Francesca Redaelli  1 , Gianvincenzo Zuccotti  1   6 , Matteo Vandoni  4
Affiliations

"CoVidentary": An online exercise training program to reduce sedentary behaviours in children with type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic

Valeria Calcaterra et al. J Clin Transl Endocrinol. .

Abstract

Aim: We explored the physical activity (PA) level and the variation in glycaemic control in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) before and during the lockdown. Then, we proposed an online training program supported by sport-science specialists.

Methods: Parents of children with T1D (<18 years) filled out an online survey. Anthropometric characteristics, PA, play, sport and sedentary time and the medical related outcomes were recorded. An adapted online program "Covidentary" was proposed through full-training (FT) and active breaks (AB) modality.

Results: 280 youth (11.8 ± 3.3 years) were included in the analysis. We reported a decline in sport (-2.1 ± 2.1 h/week) and outdoor-plays (-73.9 ± 93.6 min/day). Moreover, we found an increase in sedentary time (+144.7 ± 147.8 min/day), in mean glycaemic values (+25.4 ± 33.4 mg/dL) and insulin delivery (71.8% of patients). 37% of invited patients attended the training program, 46% took part in AB and 54% in FT. The AB was carried out for 90% of the total duration, while the FT for 31%. Both types of training were perceived as moderate intensity effort.

Conclusion: A decline of participation in sport activities and a subsequent increase of sedentary time influence the management of T1D of children, increasing the risk of acute/long-term complications. Online exercise program may contrast the pandemic's sedentary lifestyle.

Keywords: COVID-19; Children with type 1 diabetes; Disease management; Physical activity level; Sedentary behaviour.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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