Exercise for Type 1 Diabetes
(HOME T1D Trial)
Trial Summary
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you use anti-inflammatory, glucocorticoid, or other pain-relief medications regularly.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment 'Exercise for Type 1 Diabetes'?
Research shows that exercise can improve insulin sensitivity, reduce the need for insulin, and help manage heart and nerve function in people with type 1 diabetes. Additionally, intense physical activity is linked to better blood sugar control, and adding resistance training to aerobic exercise may further improve health outcomes.12345
Is exercise safe for people with type 1 diabetes?
How does exercise as a treatment for type 1 diabetes differ from other treatments?
Exercise is a unique treatment for type 1 diabetes because it is a non-drug approach that can improve insulin sensitivity, reduce insulin requirements, and enhance cardiovascular health. Unlike medications, exercise also offers psychological benefits and can be tailored to minimize the risk of low blood sugar episodes, making it a versatile and holistic option for managing the condition.111121314
What is the purpose of this trial?
Over 300,000 people in Canada suffer from Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), a chronic condition whose incidence rate has been increasing in Canada every year by 5.1% (higher than the global average). While exogenous insulin injections allow those with T1D to live, it is not a cure, and those with T1D develop severe complications (kidney failure, cardiovascular disease). Strategies to regress the development of these complications, minimize healthcare system burden, and save the lives of Canadians are urgently needed.Undertaking regular exercise is an obvious strategy for those with T1D and has many well-established health benefits. Despite these benefits, adults with T1D exercise less frequently due to fear of severe hypoglycemia and a lack of knowledge of effective exercise strategies. Adding to this complexity, the investigators have recently shown that males and females elicit differential impairments in skeletal muscle metabolism in response to T1D. These differences may extend to the peripheral microvasculature and may lead to sexual dimorphism in the health benefits of exercise for those with T1D. Ultimately, developing a healthy muscle mass, including microvasculature, will help mitigate dysglycemic and dyslipidemic fluctuations and improve insulin sensitivity.The overarching purpose of this proposed study is to determine the impact of T1D on human skeletal muscle and its microvasculature over the lifespan in males and females, and its responses to exercise training and detraining.
Research Team
Thomas J Hawke, PhD
Principal Investigator
McMaster University
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for adults aged 18-30 or 45-65 with Type 1 Diabetes who are not very active, doing less than the recommended amount of weekly exercise. It's not for those hospitalized multiple times for diabetic ketoacidosis, on certain medications, overweight (BMI >30), recent users of cannabis/tobacco/nicotine, or with other health issues that make exercising risky.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Baseline Assessment
Initial physiological assessments to evaluate muscle health and establish baseline characteristics
Twelve-week Exercise
Participants undergo a combined aerobic and resistance training program
Detraining
Participants undergo a seven-day detraining period with unilateral knee immobilization
Four-week Re-training
Participants resume exercise program consisting of aerobic and resistance exercise
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in muscle health and physiological parameters
Treatment Details
Interventions
- De-training
- Exercise
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
McMaster University
Lead Sponsor