Association of physical activity metrics with glucose variability in people with type 1 diabetes: a cross sectional study

Al Kandari, J., Al Ozairi, E., Irshad, M., Varghese, A. and Gray, S. R. (2024) Association of physical activity metrics with glucose variability in people with type 1 diabetes: a cross sectional study. European Journal of Sport Science, 24(2), pp. 210-216. (doi: 10.1002/ejsc.12062)

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the association of physical activity metrics with measures of glucose variability in people with type 1 diabetes. From August 2019 to January 2022, people with type 1 diabetes, attending clinics or participating in ongoing research at the Dasman Diabetes Institute in Kuwait, were invited to participate in the study. Physical activity was measured over a 7-day period using a wrist-worn accelerometer, and glucose variability data were measured by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) of the same period. Three hundred and eleven participants were recruited (age 33 (10) years, BMI 27(5) kg/m2 and n = 311 (169 female and 142 male)). Overall physical activity levels were not associated with any measure of glucose variability. The intensity gradient, which measures the distribution of physical activity intensity, was negatively associated with mean glucose (−1.01(−0.28, −1.74) and p = 0.007), CONGA (−1.00(−0.28, −1.72) and p = 0.007), J-index (−11.7(−2.23, 21.2) and p = 0.016), HBGI (−2.73(−0.44, −5.02) and p = 0.020), GRADE (−2.27(−0.59, −3.95), p = 0.009) and GRADE – euglycaemia (−4.26(−0.46, −8.06) and p = 0–029) and the M-value (−4.41 (−0.05, −8.77) and p = 0.049). Overall physical activity remains important, but it may be worth recommending people with type 1 diabetes to spend proportionately more of their day doing moderate to higher intensity physical activity, although this remains to be confirmed in an appropriately designed trial.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The study was funded by the Kuwaiti Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Ministry of Health, Kuwait.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gray, Professor Stuart
• Authors: Al Kandari, J., Al Ozairi, E., Irshad, M., Varghese, A., and Gray, S. R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: European Journal of Sport Science
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 1746-1391
• ISSN (Online): 1536-7290
• Published Online: 02 February 2024
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2024 The Authors
• First Published: First published in European Journal of Sport Science 24(2):210-216
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License