2018, Volume 10, Issue 4

The effects of physical activity on glycaemic control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus participating in diabetes camp

Marcin Sikora¹, Anna Zwierzchowska², Marzena Jaworska¹, Magdalena Solich-Talanda¹, Rafał Mikołajczyk¹, Aleksandra Żebrowska<sup>1

1</sup>Department of Physiological and Medical Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice
²Department of Special Education, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice


Author for correspondence: Aleksandra Żebrowska; Department of Physiological and Medical Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice; email: a.zebrowska@awf.katowice.pl

Full text

Abstract

Background:  ‪Children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are at high risk of having insufficient physical activity during school days and, thus, the importance of special program in promoting regular physical exercise has been largely emphasized. Therefore, this study examined the levels of physical activity and glycemia control in children with T1D, with particular focus on the relative contributions of regular physical education and physical activity program during the diabetes camp.

Material and methods:  ‪Ninety-eight children suffering from T1D for 3.0 ±1.4 years free of diabetic complications participated in the study. Glycemia, insulin doses and diet were monitored, and physical activity was repeatedly measured across school days (GrS) and during the diabetes camp (GrR).

Results: ‪Physical activity of T1D children during the diabetes camp program were significantly higher compared to their regular physical education program GrS (p < 0.001). The age of study participants had a significant impact on physical activity, glycemia and daily insulin doses.

Conclusions:  ‪Physical activity of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes is lower compared to reference ranges for healthy population. Our findings highlighted that diabetic camps-based physical activity, in addition to regular physical education classes, could be of heath benefit in children with T1D.

Key words: physical activity, diabetes, health, glucose monitoring