Impact of High Intensity Interval Training Using Elastic Bands on Glycemic Control in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: A Pilot Study

Abstract

High intensity interval training (HIIT) using elastic bands is easy to do, but no data on its impact on glycemic control in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are available. Six males with T1D performed three weekly sessions of HIIT using elastic bands for 12 weeks. Each session consisted of eight exercises. Glycemic control was evaluated by using intermittent scanning continuous glucose monitoring two weeks before study onset (baseline) and during the intervention period in the first two (first stage) and last two weeks (last stage). In the 24 h post-exercise, time-in-range (70–180 mg/dL) was reduced from baseline to the end of the study (67.2% to 63.0%), and time-above-range (>180 mg/dL) seemed to increase from baseline across the study (20.8% → 27.5% → 22.1%, from baseline → first → last stage), but did not show any statistical significance. Time in hypoglycemia (either < 70 mg/dL or <54 mg/dL) did not show statistically significant differences. This study shows that a HIIT program with elastic bands is safe and effective to perform in T1D patients, keeping blood glucose levels in a safe range.

Keywords

• type 1 diabetes
• high intensity interval training
• glycemic control
• intermittent scanning continuous glucose monitoring
• elastic bands
• capillary blood glucose