A Comparison of Glucose and Additional Signals for Three Different Exercise Types in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Using a Hybrid Closed-Loop System

Abstract

Objective:

To compare glycemic outcomes during and following moderate-intensity exercise (MIE), high-intensity interval exercise (HIE), and resistance exercise (RE) in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) using a hybrid closed-loop (HCL) insulin pump while measuring additional physiological signals associated with activity.

Methods:

Twenty-eight adolescents (average age 16.3 ± 2.1 years, 50% females, average duration of T1D 9.4 ± 4 years) using HCL (Medtronic MiniMed 670G) undertook 40 min of MIE, HIE, and RE. A temporary glucose target (8.3 mmol/L, 150 mg/dL) was set for 2 h prior and during exercise. Heart rate, accelerometer, venous glucose, lactate, ketones, and counter-regulatory hormones were measured for 280 min postexercise commencement. The primary outcome was glucose percentage time in range (TIR): 3.9–10 mmol/L (70–180 mg/dL) for 14 h from exercise onset.

Results:

Median (interquartile range) TIR for HIE was 88 (78, 96)%, MIE 79 (63, 88)%, and RE 86 (72, 95)% for 14 h from exercise onset. For MIE compared with HIE, TIR was lower (P = 0.012) and time above range (TAR) was greater (18 [2.4, 28] vs. 6.9 [0.0, 14]%, P = 0.041). Hypoglycemia occurred in 13 (46%), 11 (39%), and 14 (50%) of participants for HIE, MIE, and RE, respectively, the majority following the meal after exercise. There were higher levels of lactate (P = 0.001), growth hormone (P = 0.001), noradrenaline (P = 0.001), and heart rate (P = 0.01) during HIE and RE compared with MIE.

Conclusions

: HCL use in adolescents with T1D results in excellent TIR during different forms of exercise when a temporary target is set 2 h before. Extending the temporary target after exercise may also be needed to help minimize postexercise hypoglycemia.