Aims: The present study aimed to compare cardiorespiratory fitness levels in children with and without Type 1 diabetes. In addition, the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and a range of physical and clinical factors was investigated.
Methods: Eighty-eight children with Type 1 diabetes aged 5-14 years completed a submaximal step test of cardiorespiratory fitness. Sixty-two of these children were successfully matched to control subjects without diabetes based on age, sex and anthropometrics for comparison. In addition, the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and a range of physical and clinical variables was assessed in the children with diabetes.
Results: The heart rate response to exercise was higher in children with Type 1 diabetes, indicating reduced cardiorespiratory fitness levels compared with control subjects. Both gender and glycaemic control (HbA(1c) ) were significantly associated with cardiorespiratory fitness, with female sex and poorer glycaemic control associated with reduced fitness.
Conclusions: Future research should investigate whether the reduced fitness in children with Type 1 diabetes is attributable to lower physical activity levels, or physiological changes resulting from the diabetes pathology itself.
© 2011 The Authors. Diabetic Medicine © 2011 Diabetes UK.