[A 2-month period of physical training in insulin-dependent diabetics]

Twenty type 1 diabetics participated after previous individual instructions in a 8-week physical training programme. The latter comprised three training units per week. One training unit started by 10-minute warming up exercise, then the patients pedalled on a bicycle ergometer 2 x 10 minutes with a 5-minute break with a load amounting to 80% of the oxygen consumption during the maximum tolerated load. The final part was formed by swimming in a swimming pool, covering a distance of at least 200 m. After the termination of the programme the authors did not observe significant changes in the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism nor in physical performance, however, the maximal oxygen consumption increased as a result of training by 17% and the maximum achieved load by 25 W (i.e. one step). Throughout the investigation period the authors did not record any serious complications. The patients enjoyed the physical activity and reported improvement of the quality of life. Therefore the authors recommend physical training in the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetic patients.