BONN, Germany, June 6 (UPI) -- Children with type 1 diabetes who exercise regularly may have improved blood-glucose levels compared to those who do not exercise, a German study finds.
Dr. Antje Herbst of the University of Bonn analyzed data from 19,143 patients -- 9,140 girls and 10,003 boys -- age 3 to 20 years with type 1 diabetes.
Physicians at 179 pediatric diabetes clinics in Germany and Austria entered data about each patient at every office visit between 1997 and 2004. The children were then placed into three groups based on how often they engaged in physical activity per week: zero times, one to two times, and three or more times.
Children in groups with less physical activity per week had higher glycosolated hemoglobin levels, which reflect the individual's control of blood-glucose levels, than those who engaged in more physical activity.
"Regular physical activity should be recommended in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus," the authors conclude. "Regular physical activity results in better control of glycemia, including a lower HbA1c level and, in female patients, lower body mass index.
Physical activity had no influence on the number of patients who experienced severe hypoglycemia or hypoglycemia with loss of consciousness, according to the study in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
