Exercise-induced growth hormone response in euglycaemia and hyperglycaemia in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus

The effects of acute hyperglycaemia on sports and exercise performance in type 1 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are advised by health care professionals to target mild hyperglycaemia before and during exercise, to reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia. This review aimed to summarise the available evidence on the effects of acute hyperglycaemia on sports and exercise performance in T1D.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

Medline, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Web of Science were searched until 29th May 2023 for studies investigating the effects of acute hyperglycaemia on any sports or exercise performance outcome in T1D. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed using standardised mean differences (SMD) when more than one study reported data for similar outcomes. Certainty of evidence for each outcome was assessed using GRADE.

RESULTS

Seven studies were included in the review, comprising data from 119 people with T1D. Meta-analysis provided moderate-certainty evidence that acute hyperglycaemia does not significantly affect aerobic exercise performance (SMD -0.17; 95 % CI -0.59, 0.26; p = 0.44). There is low- or very-low certainty evidence that acute hyperglycaemia has no effect on anaerobic (two outcomes), neuromuscular (seven outcomes) or neurocognitive performance (three outcomes), except impaired isometric knee extension strength. One study provided low-certainty evidence that the performance effects of hyperglycaemia may depend on circulating insulin levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute hyperglycaemia before or during exercise appears unlikely to affect aerobic performance to an extent that is relevant to most people with T1D, based on limited evidence. Future research in this field should focus on anaerobic, neuromuscular and neurocognitive performance, and examine the relevance of circulating insulin levels.

Sex-related differences in fuel utilization and hormonal response to exercise: implications for individuals with type 1 diabetes

Sex-related differences in metabolic and neuroendocrine response to exercise in individuals without diabetes have been well established. Men and women differ in fuel selection during exercise, in which women rely to a greater extent on fat oxidation, whereas males rely mostly on carbohydrate oxidation for energy production. The difference in fuel selection appears to be mediated by sex-related differences in hormonal (including catecholamines, growth hormone, and estrogen) response to different types and intensities of exercise. In general, men exhibit an amplified counter-regulatory response to exercise, with elevated levels of catecholamines compared with women. However, women exhibit greater sensitivity to the lipolytic action of the catecholamines and deplete less of their glycogen stores than men during exercise, which suggests that women may experience a greater defense in blood glucose control after exercise than men. Conversely, little is known about sex-related differences in response to exercise in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). A single study investigating sex-related differences in response to moderate aerobic exercise in individuals with T1D found sex-related differences in catecholamine response and fuel selection, but changes in blood glucose were not measured. To our knowledge, there are no studies investigating sex-related differences in blood glucose responses to different types and intensities of exercise in individuals with T1D. This review summarizes sex-related differences in exercise responses that could potentially impact blood glucose levels during exercise in individuals with T1D and highlights the need for further research.

Exercise-associated glucose metabolism in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The primary focus of this review is threefold: first, to summarize available knowledge on exercise-associated glucose metabolism in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM); second, to elucidate physiological mechanisms predisposing to glycemic variations in patients in T1DM; and third, to describe novel approaches derived from physiological perceptions applicable to stabilize exercise-related glycemia in individuals with T1DM.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies corroborate the concept that despite partial differences in counter-regulatory mechanisms individuals with T1DM do not fundamentally differ in their glucose response to exercise when compared with healthy individuals if studies are performed under standardized conditions with insulin and glucose levels held close to physiological ranges. Novel approaches derived from a better understanding of exercise-associated glucose metabolism (e.g., the concept of intermittent high-intensity exercise) may provide alternative ways to master the challenges imposed by exercise to individuals with T1DM.

SUMMARY

Exercise still imposes high demands on patients with T1DM and increases risks for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Deeper insight into the associated metabolic pathways has revealed novel options to stabilize exercise-associated glucose levels in these patients.

Similar magnitude of post-exercise hyperglycemia despite manipulating resistance exercise intensity in type 1 diabetes individuals

The aim of this study was to compare the glycemic and glucoregulatory hormone responses to low- and moderate-intensity morning resistance exercise (RE) sessions in type 1 diabetes (T1DM). Following maximal strength assessments (1RM), eight T1DM (HbA1C :72 ± 12 mmol/mol, age:34 ± 7 years, body mass index:25.7 ± 1.6 kg/m(2) ) participants attended the research facility on two separate occasions, having fasted and taken their usual basal insulin but omitting rapid-acting insulin. Participants performed six exercises for two sets of 20 repetitions at 30%1RM during one session [low-intensity RE session (LOW)] and two sets of 10 repetitions at 60%1RM during another session [moderate-intensity RE session (MOD)], followed by 65-min recovery. Sessions were matched for total mass lifted (kg). Venous blood samples were taken before and after exercise. Data (mean ± SEM) were analyzed using analysis of variance (P ≤ 0.05). There were no hypoglycemic occurrences throughout the study. Blood glucose rose similarly between sessions during exercise (P = 0.382), remaining comparable between sessions throughout recovery (P > 0.05). There was no effect of RE intensity on metabolic acidosis (P > 0.05) or peak growth hormone responses (P = 0.644), but a tendency for greater catecholamine responses under LOW (individualized peak concentrations: adrenaline MOD 0.55 ± 0.13 vs LOW 1.04 ± 0.37 nmol/L, P = 0.155; noradrenaline MOD 4.59 ± 0.86 vs LOW 7.11 ± 1.82 nmol/L, P = 0.082). The magnitude of post-exercise hyperglycemia does not differ between equal volume low and moderate intensity RE sessions performed in the morning.

Whole-body glucose oxidation rate during prolonged exercise in type 1 diabetic patients under usual life conditions

OBJECTIVE

Fuel oxidation during exercise was studied in type 1 insulin-dependent (T1DM) patients mainly under quite constant insulin and glycemia; these protocols, however, likely do not reflect patients' usual metabolic conditions. The glucose oxidation rate (GLUox) in T1DM patients under usual life conditions was thus investigated during prolonged exercise (3-h) and its behavior was described mathematically.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Whole-body GLUox was determined in eight T1DM patients (4/8 M; aged 35-59 years) and eight well-matched healthy subjects. Venous blood was drawn prior to and every 30 min until the end of exercise; glycemia, insulin, cortisol, and growth hormone concentrations were determined. Oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and ventilation were measured at rest and thereafter every 30 min of the exercise. To prevent hypoglycemia, patients were given fruit fudge (93% sucrose) prior to / during exercise.

RESULTS

Insulin concentration and glycemia were significantly higher in patients across the entire exercise period (group effect, p<0.001 for both). GLUox decreased significantly with increasing exercise duration (time effect, p<0.001), but no significant difference was detected between the two groups (group effect, p=NS). GLUox, expressed as the percentage of the starting value, was described by an exponential function showing a time constant of 90 min (n=96; mean corrected R(2)=0.666).

CONCLUSIONS

GLUox in T1DM patients was not significantly different from the rate observed in the control subjects. The function describing the time course of GLUox may be useful to correct an estimated GLUox for the duration of exercise and help T1DM patients avoiding exercise-induced glycemic imbalances.

Hormonal response during physical exercise of different intensities in adolescents with type 1 diabetes and healthy controls

BACKGROUND

Physical activity is a critical component in the care of diabetes. Although it offers health benefits it presents challenges.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate differences between adolescent boys and girls with type 1 diabetes and healthy controls in terms of maximal work capacity (VO(2) max) and hormonal response to physical exercise of different intensities.

SUBJECTS

Twelve individuals (six boys and six girls; age 14-19 yr, pubertal stage 4-5) with type 1 diabetes (duration, 6.3 ± 4.4 yr; hemoglobin A1c, 63 ± 10 mmol/mol) were compared with 12 healthy controls matched for age, sex, pubertal stage, body mass index standard deviation score, and amount of regular physical activity.

METHODS

During consecutive days, three different workloads; maximal, endurance, and interval, were performed on an Ergometer cycle. During the tests, levels of lactate, glucose, insulin, and regulatory hormones [glucagon, cortisol, growth hormone (GH), adrenaline, and noradrenaline] were measured in blood. Subcutaneous glucose was measured continuously.

RESULTS

VO(2) max did not differ between the groups, diabetes 49.8 ± 9.9 vs. control 50.7 ± 12.0 mL/min/kg. Hormonal responses did not differ between the groups except for mean peak GH level during the interval test, diabetes 63.2 ± 27.0 vs. control 33.8 ± 20.9 mU/L, p < 0.05.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical capacity and hormonal regulation of blood glucose in connection with physical exercise of different intensities did not differ between adolescents with diabetes and healthy controls. Thus, adolescents with type 1 diabetes can participate in physical activity on the same terms as healthy peers.