Reduced physical fitness in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Abstract

SUMMARYAims: To evaluate motor performance and cardiorespiratory function in youths with type 1 diabetes in comparison with age-matched control group; and to analyse the influence of physical activity level, anthropometric and physical fitness parameters on long-term metabolic control. Methods: 106 youths with diabetes and 130 healthy youths aged 8-18 were assessed by the Eurofit Test Battery regarding motor performances, cardiorespiratory fitness (VO 2max ), skinfold thickness, and body mass index. Physical activity level was assessed through the use of questionnaires. Predictors of physical fitness and metabolic control were determined with regression analysis. Results: There were no differences either in body composition or in physical activity level, but younger girls with diabetes had impaired results in speed of upper limb movement, abdominal muscle strength, upper body strength, running speed and VO 2max ; older girls with diabetes had poor results in speed of upper limb movement, abdominal muscle strength, upper body strength and VO 2max . Younger boys with diabetes had impaired results in speed of upper limb movement, flexibility, static strength of the hand and abdominal muscle strength; and older boys with diabetes had poor results in speed of upper limb movement, flexibility, abdominal muscle strength, upper body strength and VO 2max . Older age, female gender, higher skinfold thickness, lower physical activity level and higher HbA 1c were significant independent predictors of poorer VO 2max . Better VO 2max proved to be the single predictor of favourable HbA 1c . Conclusions: Youths with diabetes have reduced fitness parameters. Efforts should be carried out to improve physical fitness as part of treatment and care of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Association of physical activity level with depression, anxiety, and quality of life in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

“…Children and adolescents with T1DM have low PA levels (10)(11)(12). Thus, they are at high risk for psychosocial morbidities including depression, heightened anxiety, low health-related quality of life (HRQoL), low self-efficacy, low adherence to treatment, and low metabolic control (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20).…”

Characteristics of somatic build and physical activity and evaluation of hand grip strength in patients with type 1 diabetes

“…Among prepubertal boys with T1DM the participation in physical activity does not decrease compared to their healthy counterparts, while lower activity may be noted among girls [27]. However, in adolescence a decrease in physical activity may be noted both in girls and in boys with diabetes compared to their healthy peers [27,28].…”

“…U chłopców z T1DM przed okresem pokwitania udział w AF nie zmniejsza się w stosunku do zdrowych rówieśników, natomiast u dziewcząt mogą występować spadki [27]. Ale już w wieku młodzieńczym odnotowuje się spadek AF zarówno u dziewcząt jak i chłopców w stosunku do ich zdrowych rówieśników [27,28]. Różnice pogłębiają się, gdy kontrola poziomu glikemii jest dokonywana z mniejszą częstotliwością [29,30].…”

Evaluation of Physical Fitness in Children With Type 1 Diabetes

“…It is suggested that children with diabetes, because of the fear of hypoglycemia as a consequence of exercise, participate less intensively [14]. In sport activities, have less daily physical activity, and may have less skill to perform such tests than non-diabetic peers [15]. Further possibilities are that early complications of diabetes as diabetic myopathy may contribute to reduced physical fitness achievements.…”