Effects of Postprandial Exercise on Glycemic Response in IDDM Subjects: Studies at constant insulinemia

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To determine the influence of postprandial exercise on blood glucose responses in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) subjects. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Two identical test meals were served with a 7-day interval. On one occasion, a 30-min cycle exercise was performed 15 min after the meal. Patients had achieved normoglycemia by means of an artificial pancreas (Biostator) before the meals, which also ensured constant insulin infusion in the study periods. Seven IDDM subjects attending the outpatient clinic at Aarhus Kommunehospital were studied. RESULTS The 30 min of cycling reduced postprandial blood glucose response areas by 34 ± 12% (P < 0.01) from 638 ± 30 to 492 ± 61 mmol/l × 180 min (P < 0.03), whereas similar peak blood glucose values were found (13.7 ± 0.3 vs. 12.0 ± 1.3 mmol/l). CONCLUSIONS Thirty minutes of moderate exercise done postprandially reduces the blood glucose response to 50 g carbohydrate by about one-third.