Physical Activity as a Lifestyle Intervention for Type 1 Diabetics: A Comprehensive Review

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of aerobic and resistance training on anthropometric measures such as body mass index, body weight, fat mass, and fat-free mass among type 1 diabetics. A thorough literature review was performed on PubMed. Our search yielded 196 articles. We included eight studies that dealt with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients who met our inclusion criteria and consisted of randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. This review article found that resistance exercise increased muscle mass and reduced fat mass in T1DM patients. Increasing the duration and intensity of physical activity led to an increase in fat-free mass. Parental support among type 1 diabetic children showed positive attitudes towards a healthy lifestyle. Addressing stigma among adolescents with T1DM is important, and personal and community knowledge about the condition can help facilitate physical activity participation. Collaboration between healthcare providers, families, and peers is essential in managing physical activity in T1DM patients. Having a staff member with specific training to provide physical activity advice can benefit diabetes teams. Further research over a longer duration is necessary to confirm these outcomes.