Impact of physical activity on metabolic control and the development of chronic complications in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

• Published in: Endocrinologia y nutricion Vol. 57; no. 6; p. 268
• Main Authors: Carral San Laureano, Florentino, Gutiérrez Manzanedo, José Vicente, Ayala Ortega, Carmen, García Calzado, Concepción, Silva Rodríguez, Juan José, Aguilar Diosdado, Manuel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Spain 01.06.2010
• Subjects: Cardiovascular Diseases - etiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control; Chronic Disease; Diabetes Complications - etiology; Diabetes Complications - prevention & control; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - metabolism; Diabetic Angiopathies - etiology; Diabetic Angiopathies - prevention & control; Disease Progression; Humans; Motor Activity; Risk Factors
• ISSN: 1579-2021
• DOI: 10.1016/j.endonu.2010.03.007

Together with a balanced diet, regular physical activity is one of the pillars of diabetes mellitus (DM) management. Physical activity theoretically provides the same advantages in people with DM as in the general population and also has some beneficial effects in controlling metabolic factors, such as improving blood glucose levels and insulin sensitivity. In this article, we analyze the main clinical studies published to date that evaluate the impact of physical activity on metabolic control or the development of chronic complications in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. In conclusion, most of the evaluated studies show that regular physical activity favorably affects metabolic control in DM (or at least does not have adverse effects). However, there is insufficient information about the impact of physical activity on the development and progression of chronic complications.