Reproducibility of the plasma glucose response to moderate‐intensity exercise in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes

Aims The aim of the study was to evaluate the reproducibility of the plasma glucose response to moderate‐intensity exercise performed on different days under controlled conditions in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes. Methods Eight adolescents with Type 1 diabetes on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion completed two exercise sessions, each on two separate days, under basal insulin and fasting conditions. On each day, participants cycled twice for 30 min at 55% of their peak rate of oxygen consumption, with each exercise session separated by a 30‐min rest. Results Plasma insulin levels were similar between testing days and exercise sessions. The mean absolute drop in plasma glucose from the commencement to the end of exercise was 1.6 ± 0.5 mmol/l on day 1 and 1.9 ± 0.7 mmol/l on day 2 (P = 0.3). In response to the first exercise session, plasma glucose levels relative to baseline did not change significantly (0.2 ± 0.6 and –0.2 ± 0.5 mmol/l on days 1 and 2). By contrast, the change in plasma glucose during the second exercise session was –1.1 ± 0.7 and –1.3 ± 0.7mmol/l on days 1 and 2, respectively. The mean absolute intra‐individual difference in the change in plasma glucose between testing days were 0.7 ± 0.5 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4–1.0] and 0.7 ± 0.4 (95% CI 0.4–1.0) mmol/l, at the end of the first and second exercise sessions respectively. Conclusions The plasma glucose response to moderate‐intensity exercise under similar glycaemic and basal insulin conditions can be reproducible in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes. What's new? The glycaemic response to standardized exercise under fasting and basal insulinaemic conditions can be reproducible in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes. This is important information when planning exercise and for researchers in designing exercise studies. The relatively small drop in plasma glucose during the first 30 min of moderate‐intensity exercise under basal insulinaemic conditions provides young people with Type 1 diabetes the opportunity to plan further exercise and tailor diabetes management appropriately.