Resistance Training Methods Impact On Glycemic Excursion and Metabolic Pathways in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Strength and condition training to improve sport performance has been greatly emphasized over the past 20 years. Formal strength and conditioning (S&C) programming is performed by S&C coaches who are educated in the field of exercise program with the intentions to bring about particular athletic adaptations through exercise. S&C programs, previously limited to programs at the college and professional level, are now commonly seen in secondary school athletic programs. With such broad adoption, many athletes that manage chronic diseases, such as type 1 diabetes mellitus, are exposed to elements of these programs.

Diabetes mellitus impacts more than 10% of the United States population. Of these, 5.2% have identified type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) which includes approximately 210,000 individuals under the age of 20. In addition to insulin and dietary management, exercise and physical activity is recommended as an important therapeutic tool for most patients with T1DM. Physical activity has been shown to significantly improve glycemic control in individuals with diabetes. Additional benefits of exercise include improved cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, insulin sensitivity and blood glucose control. S&C programs offer benefits to those living with T1DM as different exercises can be tailored to preserve health. However, there are no exercise prescription or guidelines specifically for adolescent athletes diagnosed with type 1 diabetes participating in strength and conditioning programs. Furthermore, there is no available data that states the predictability of glucose response and insulin needs to any of the specific strength and conditioning goals.