Hypoglycemia is the most life-threatening complication faced by persons with type-1 diabetes (T1D) and is exacerbated by physical activity. This risk often deters individuals with T1D from engaging in active lifestyles. In a recent study by Dr. Jonathan McGavock and colleagues published in Nature Scientific Results, the effects of adding vigorous intensity intervals to moderate intensity endurance exercise on blood glucose in persons with T1D was examined. This multi-centre, single-blinded, 16-week randomized control trial examined the effect on hypoglycemia in two groups: those engaged in moderate intensity physical activity alone, and those engaged in moderate intensity physical activity plus intermittent vigorous intensity exercise. The study found that persons who were previously inactive, aged 15-45 years, who added vigorous intensity intervals to moderate-intensity exercise program (16-week) intervention did not reduced the risk of post-exercise hypoglycemia. This was a surprising result as previous studies suggested that vigorous intensity interval training stabilized blood glucose following moderate intensity endurance exercise or prevented exercise-related nocturnal hypoglycemia in individuals with T1D. To read the full article follow this link

Rempel, M., Yardley, J.E., MacIntosh, A., Hay, J.L., Bouchard, D., Cornish, S., Marks, S.D., Hai, Y., Gordon, J.W. and J. McGavock. 2018. Vigorous Intervals and Hypoglycemia in Type-1 Diabetes: A Randomized Cross Over Trial. Scientific Reports 8, 15879.