A High Protein Diet Is Associated with Improved Glycemic Control Following Exercise among Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Nutritional strategies are needed to aid people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in managing glycemia following exercise. Secondary analyses were conducted from a randomized trial of an adaptive behavioral intervention to assess the relationship between post-exercise and daily protein (g/kg) intake on glycemia following moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among adolescents with T1D. Adolescents (n = 112) with T1D, 14.5 (13.8, 15.7) years of age, and 36.6% overweight or obese, provided measures of glycemia using continuous glucose monitoring (percent time above range [TAR, >180 mg/dL], time-in-range [TIR, 70–180 mg/dL], time-below-range [TBR, p = 0.03) greater TIR and −8.0% (p = 0.02) less TAR following exercise, however, no association was observed between post-exercise protein intake and post-exercise glycemia. Following current sports nutrition guidelines for daily protein intake may promote improved glycemia following exercise among adolescents with T1D.

Keywords

• sports nutrition
• type 1 diabetes
• exercise
• physical activity
• glycemia
• time-in-range