Aim: To clarify the relationship of aerobic fitness and handgrip strength with glycaemic control (HbA1c), body composition and lipid profile in Type 1 diabetes.
Methods: Aerobic capacity (Chester Step Test), handgrip strength and body composition (bioelectrical impedance) were measured in 141 patients with Type 1 diabetes.
Results: Aerobic capacity correlated positively with HbA1c and lean body mass and negatively with body mass index and fat mass. Handgrip strength correlated positively with aerobic capacity and negatively with HbA1c and fat mass. In addition, there was a positive correlation between HbA1c and total cholesterol.
Conclusion: Patients with Type 1 diabetes who have good aerobic capacity have poorer glycaemic control. However, this was an observational study and the results must be interpreted with caution. Further investigation into how these patients manage blood glucose during exercise is required.