Authors:
Williams, B. K.; Guelfi, K. J.; Jones, T. W.; Davis, E. A.
Authors notes:
Diabetic Medicine. 2011;28(8):1005-7
Keywords:
Aerobic fitness, Exercise, Glycaemic control
Abstract
The present study aimed to compare cardiorespiratory fitness levels in children with and without Type 1 diabetes. In addition, the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and a range of physical and clinical factors was investigated.
Eighty-eight children with Type 1 diabetes aged 5-14years completed a submaximal step test of cardiorespiratory fitness. Sixty-two of these children were successfully matched to control subjects without diabetes based on age, sex and anthropometrics for comparison. In addition, the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and a range of physical and clinical variables was assessed in the children with diabetes.
The heart rate response to exercise was higher in children with Type 1 diabetes, indicating reduced cardiorespiratory fitness levels compared with control subjects. Both gender and glycaemic control (HbA1c) were significantly associated with cardiorespiratory fitness, with female sex and poorer glycaemic control associated with reduced fitness.
Future research should investigate whether the reduced fitness in children with Type 1 diabetes is attributable to lower physical activity levels, or physiological changes resulting from the diabetes pathology itself.