The effect of timing of remotely supervised exercise on glucose control in people with type 1 diabetes during Ramadan: A randomised crossover study.

AIM: The aim of the current study was to compare glucose responses when remotely supervised exercise was performed before or after breaking the fast, during Ramadan, in people with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: People with type 1 diabetes were recruited to this randomised cross over design study, which took place in Kuwait during Ramadan in 2021-2022. Interstitial glucose was measured using continuous glucose monitors during a baseline week of normal activity and during weeks where remotely supervised exercise was performed, three times per week, either before (afternoon) or after (evening) breaking the fast, in a randomised crossover design. Exercise involved resistance and aerobic exercise and was supervised during a video call. RESULTS: Thirty-two participants were recruited to the study (age 34(9) years and BMI 26(4)kg/m2). Mean interstitial glucose levels were lower on exercise days, compared to equivalent days in the baseline week, during both afternoon (8.6(1.8) mmol/L vs 9.1(1.4) mmol/L, p = 0.035) and evening (8.7(1.8) mmol/L vs 9.6(1.8) mmol/L, p < 0.001) exercise weeks. Mean glucose levels were lower the day after exercise, relative to both baseline (p < 0.001) and exercise (p = 0.011) days, in the evening exercise week only. CONCLUSIONS: Remotely supervised exercise performed during Ramadan can safely reduce interstitial glucose levels and may be of greater benefit when performed in the evening, further work is required to confirm this in a larger trial.

The effect of home-based resistance exercise training in people with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: To evaluate the effects of pragmatic home-based resistance exercise training on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) as well as muscle strength and body composition in people with type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: People with type 2 diabetes were randomized (1:1) to usual care or usual care plus home-based resistance exercise for 32 weeks. The changes in HbA1c, body composition, physical function, quality of life, continuous glucose monitoring and liver fat were compared by randomized group using linear regression. RESULTS: This study recruited 120 participants (female: n = 46 [38%], age 60.2 (9.4) years, BMI 31.1 (5.4) kg.m-2 ), 64 to intervention and 56 to usual care. Intention to treat analysis revealed no effect on HbA1c (difference in difference: -0.4 mmol/mol, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -3.26, 2.47; p = 0.78) but the intervention increased the number of push-ups (3.6 push-ups, 95% CI: 0.8, 6.4), arm lean mass (116 g, 95% CI: 6, 227) and leg lean mass (438 g, 95% CI 65, 810) and decreased liver fat (-1.27%, 95% CI -2.17, -0.38), with no differences in other outcomes. Per-protocol analysis revealed similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Home-based resistance exercise is unlikely to lower HbA1c in people with type 2 diabetes but may be of benefit for maintaining muscle mass and function and reducing liver fat.

Correction to: Protocol for a randomised controlled trial to investigate the effect of home- and gym-based resistance exercise training on glycaemic control, body composition and muscle strength.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Protocol for a randomised controlled trial to investigate the effect of home- and gym-based resistance exercise training on glycaemic control, body composition and muscle strength.

BACKGROUND: Resistance exercise is known to be effective in reducing glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in people with type 2 diabetes. However, studies, so far, have employed supervised resistance exercise in a laboratory or gym facility which limits the future translation of such exercise in to clinical practice and recommendations. Our primary aim, therefore, is to test the hypothesis, in a randomized controlled trial, that home-based resistance exercise training and gym-based resistance exercise training both reduce HbA1c levels in people with type 2 diabetes compared to control. We will also investigate the effects of home- and gym-based resistance exercise training on muscle strength and body composition. METHODS: The current study is a three-arm randomised controlled trial which will be conducted with 150 eligible people with type 2 diabetes to compare home-and gym-based resistance exercise training with usual care in Kuwait. The interventions will be delivered by exercise specialists and last for 32 weeks. The primary outcomes are HbA1c with secondary outcomes measuring muscle function, body composition, physical activity and quality of life. DISCUSSION: Ethical approval has been granted by the Dasman Diabetes Institute ethical review committee (RA/197/2019). Study findings will be disseminated through presentation at scientific conferences and in scientific journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04136730: Retrospectively registered on 21 October 2019.