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Physical fitness in children with type 1 diabetes measured with six-minute walk test

Vladimir Jegdic1, Zeljko Roncevic, Veselin Skrabic

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

International Journal of Endocrinology
|August 13, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) demonstrate reduced physical fitness compared to healthy peers. Elevated HbA1c levels did not correlate with decreased fitness in these children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Endocrinology
  • Sports Medicine

Background:

  • Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic condition affecting children.
  • Physical fitness is crucial for overall health and well-being in pediatric populations.
  • Understanding the impact of T1D on physical fitness is essential for comprehensive management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the physical fitness of children with T1D to that of healthy controls.
  • To investigate the association between glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and physical fitness in children with T1D.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 100 children with T1D (aged 7-17.9 years) and matched healthy controls.
  • Physical fitness assessed using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), measuring distance, heart rate, and oxygen saturation.

Main Results:

  • Children with T1D walked significantly shorter distances (601.3m) than controls (672.1m) during the 6MWT (P < 0.001).
  • Lower pulse oxygen saturation was observed in children with T1D at pretest (P < 0.001).
  • HbA1c levels above 8% did not show a significant difference in physical fitness compared to those below 8% within the T1D group.

Conclusions:

  • Children diagnosed with T1D exhibit diminished physical fitness compared to their healthy counterparts.
  • Glycemic control, as indicated by HbA1c levels, did not appear to influence the physical fitness outcomes in this pediatric cohort.

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