Introduction and Objective: Physical activity (PA) is important in type 1 diabetes (T1D) management. However, PA poses challenges as it can cause unpredictable changes in blood glucose (BG) levels. Key reasons include insulin-glucose mismatch, nutrition, type of activity, and individual variability. The Clinical Sports and Activity Program (CSAP) at the Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute educates patients on diabetes management, safety, and performance with T1D. This study examined the effect of CSAP on glycemic control (GC) in youth with T1D. Methods: Patients 6-26 years with T1D were enrolled. The CSAP included a fitness assessment and consultation with a diabetes educator, dietician and exercise physiologist, with guidance on glycemic management before, during, and after PA. Continuous glucose monitor (CGM) data were collected from two weeks prior to the sports appointment and two weeks post education appointment for initial assessments, and two weeks pre-sports and two weeks post-sports for follow-up visits. Outcomes included changes in average BG, percent time in range (TIR; 70-180mg/dL), percent high (180mg/dL), and percent low (70mg/dL). Paired-samples t-tests were used for analysis. Results: A total of 131 participants consented (55.7% male). No significance was observed in GC at initial assessments (average BG p=0.37, TIR p=0.67, percent high p=0.75, percent low p=0.53) or follow-up assessments (average BG p=0.10, TIR p=0.08, percent high p=0.08, percent low p=0.28). Participants attending more appointments showed greater improvements at follow-up compared with initial assessments, including reductions in average BG (173.36 to 158.06 mg/dL) and percent high (37.23% to 29.00%), and increases in TIR (61.10% to 69.00%) and percent low (1.80% to 2.00%). Conclusion: Although no significance was observed, a positive impact was noted from participation in a CSAP. Even though no statistical changes were noted, improvements in GC were noted in participants who completed more visits, suggesting that tailored diabetes education contributed to improved glycemic trends over time. Disclosure B. Thrasher: None. A.E. Sketch: None. S. Watson: None. E. Montgomery: None.
Thrasher et al. (Fri,) studied this question.