A Study Examining the Effect of a Short Bout of Postprandial Walking on the Glycemic Effect of a Meal: Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this pilot study was to determine whether 15 minutes of postprandial walking has an effect on the glycemic response to a breakfast beverage in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). METHODS: Seven participants, aged 22.3 ± 4.3 years, with T1DM using intensive insulin therapy completed 2 days of data collection. On day 1, participants measured baseline fasting blood glucose (BG) with a glucometer, consumed an 8-ounce Boost® beverage (41 grams carbohydrate), administered a bolus of insulin according to the carbohydrate load and fasting BG, and sat quietly, repeating BG measurements 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after consumption. On day 2, participants repeated the protocol, but walked 15 minutes at 50% to 60% maximum heart rate immediately after beverage consumption. RESULTS: The difference between peak and baseline (peak - baseline) BG and incremental glucose area under the curve (iAUC) were lower in all but one participant on the walking compared to the sedentary day. Mean peak - baseline BG was significantly lower on the walking day compared to the sedentary day (6.4 ± 1.2 vs 14.4 ± 3.4 mmol/L, respectively, p = 0.016) as was the iAUC, (241.1 ± 155.8 vs 468.6 ± 94.5 mmol/L/120 min, respectively, p = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Fifteen minutes of postprandial walking can blunt the spike in BG and overall glycemic response to a breakfast beverage in young adults with T1DM and may be an effective and realistic component in the management of T1DM.