High-Intensity Interval Training Improves Aerobic Capacity Without a Detrimental Decline in Blood Glucose in People With Type 1 Diabetes

• Published in: The journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 2019-02, Vol.104 (2), p.604-612
• Main Authors: Scott, Sam N, Cocks, Matt, Andrews, Rob C, Narendran, Parth, Purewal, Tejpal S, Cuthbertson, Daniel J, Wagenmakers, Anton J M, Shepherd, Sam O
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aerobic capacity; Aorta; Blood glucose; Blood Glucose - analysis; Blood Glucose - physiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - diagnosis; Cardiovascular Diseases - etiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control; Cross-Over Studies; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus (insulin dependent); Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - rehabilitation; Exercise; Exercise Therapy - adverse effects; Exercise Therapy - methods; Fasting; Female; Glucose; Glucose monitors; Health aspects; High-Intensity Interval Training - adverse effects; High-Intensity Interval Training - methods; Humans; Hypoglycemia; Interval training; Male; Oxygen consumption; Oxygen Consumption - physiology; Patient monitoring equipment; Physical fitness; Pulse Wave Analysis; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Type 1 diabetes
• ISSN: 0021-972X; 1945-7197
• DOI: 10.1210/jc.2018-01309

Abstract Context We investigated whether 6 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIT) induced improvements in cardiometabolic health markers similar to moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D), and whether HIT abolished acute reductions in plasma glucose levels observed after MICT sessions. Methods Two groups of sedentary individuals with T1D (n = 7 per group) completed 6 weeks of thrice weekly HIT or MICT. Pre- and post-training measurements were made of 24-hour interstitial glucose profiles, using continuous glucose monitors, and cardiometabolic health markers [peak oxygen consumption (V˙o2peak), blood lipid profile, and aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV)]. Capillary blood glucose (BG) concentrations were assessed before and after exercise to investigate changes in BG levels during exercise in the fed state. Results Six weeks of HIT or MICT increased V˙o2peak by 14% and 15%, respectively (P < 0.001), and aPWV by 12% (P < 0.001), with no difference between groups. There was no difference in incidence or percentage of time spent in hypoglycemia after training in either group (P > 0.05). In the fed state, the mean change (±SEM) in capillary BG concentration during the HIT sessions was −0.2 ± 0.5 mmol/L, and −5.5 ± 0.4 mmol/L during MICT. Conclusions Six weeks of HIT improved V˙o2peak and aPWV to a similar extent as MICT. That BG levels remained stable during HIT in the fed state but consistently fell during MICT suggests HIT may be the preferred training mode for some people with T1D. High-intensity interval training improved aerobic capacity and abolished the decline in blood glucose levels observed during moderate-intensity continuous training sessions in people with T1D.