Can Short Bouts of Exercise ("Exercise Snacks") Improve Body Composition in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes? A Feasibility Study.

INTRODUCTION

Puberty is associated with a deterioration of blood glucose control in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The literature suggests that exercise improves homeostasis in adults with diabetes, but lack of time often precludes the performance of exercise. Besides, in earlier work, supplementation with glutamine, a nonessential amino acid, when administered prior to exercise, decreased overnight post-exercise blood glucose in adolescents with long-standing T1D, suggesting that glutamine increased insulin sensitivity or enhanced tissue glucose uptake. The purpose of the current study therefore was to determine the feasibility of a novel form of exercise ("exercise snacks," that is, short bouts of exercise spread throughout the day) with or without a supplemental amino acid, glutamine, and its impact on blood glucose homeostasis and body composition in adolescents with T1D.

METHODS

Twelve sedentary adolescents with T1D (HbA1c 8.1 ± 0.6%) performed exercise snacks (6 × 1 min of resistance-based activities) 3 times daily for 3 months; in addition, they were randomized to consume a drink containing either placebo or glutamine (0.5 g/kg/day). Continuous glucose monitoring, HbA1c, and dual X-ray absorptiometry were obtained before and after 3 months of each intervention.

RESULTS

Exercise snacks were easy to perform and well tolerated and were associated with a 2.2% loss of body fat mass when both groups were analyzed together (p = 0.015) after 3 months, whereas the change in lean body mass was not significant (p = 0.21). Metabolic control (HbA1c and glucose sensor data) was unchanged as result of the intervention regardless of group, and total daily insulin dose did not decrease.

CONCLUSION

Short bouts of exercise are sustainable over a 3-month period and can improve body composition in adolescents with poorly controlled T1D. Although metabolic control was unchanged as a result of the intervention regardless of group, this was a short-term intervention, hence assessment of metabolic impact will require long-term study.