Effects of Resistance Exercise on Blood Glucose in Post-menopausal Women With Type 1 Diabetes

What this study is about

Regular physical activity has substantial health benefits in people with type 1 diabetes. The fear of hypoglycemia, both during and after exercise, is a major barrier to exercise in this population. A major obstacle to providing specific physical activity and exercise advice is that there are still significant gaps in the fundamental understanding of the impact of physical activity and exercise on blood glucose levels in type 1 diabetes. Women with type 1 diabetes have a substantial increase in cardiovascular risk once they have passed menopause. They may lose both bone quality and muscle mass at a faster rate with aging than those without diabetes. Overall, these changes greatly increase the risk of both cardiovascular and frailty related complications. Despite the many potential benefits of resistance exercise for post-menopausal women with type 1 diabetes, there are currently no published studies examining the effects of resistance exercise in this population. Before being able to design a clinical trial of resistance exercise, an examination of the acute effects of resistance exercise on blood glucose levels in post-menopausal women with type 1 diabetes is required. The present study will compare the glycemic effects of a low resistance, high repetition (3 sets of 15 to 20 repetitions) weight lifting program to the effects of a moderate resistance, moderate repetition (3 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions). The investigators hypothesize that the high repetition program will be associated with a bigger decline in blood glucose during exercise, but that the moderate resistance program will be associated with a higher risk of post-exercise hypoglycemia.

Who can join (things the study team will check)

✅ You may be able to join if…

• female
• type 1 diabetes diagnosed for at least 1 year
• at least 12 months since last menstrual period
• physically able and willing to perform resistance exercise
• HbA1c < 10%
• residing near Edmonton, Alberta / able to attend laboratory based sessions at the University of Alberta

🚫 You may not be able to join if…

• Individuals with HbA1c >9.9%
• Frequent and unpredictable hypoglycaemia
• A change in insulin management strategy within two months of the study
• Blood pressure > 144/95,
• Severe peripheral neuropathy,
• A history of cardiovascular disease
• Musculoskeletal injuries affecting the ability to perform resistance exercise.
• Individuals who are treated with medications (other than insulin) that affect glucose metabolism (e.g. atypical antipsychotics, corticosteroids)
• A body mass index >30kg/m2,
• Smoking
• Moderate to high alcohol intake (>2 drinks per day)

Where this trial is running

• Alberta Diabetes Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Who to contact

Jane Yardley, PhD · 780-679-1688 · jane.yardley@ualberta.ca

It's completely normal to call and ask questions before deciding anything. Mention the study ID: NCT05203640.