Benefits of physical activity in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Context: The evidence of a benefit of physical activity in patients with type 1 diabetes is not well established, while it is in the context of type 2 diabetes, where physical activity is shown to decrease HbA1C levels and cardio-vascular risk factors and to improve global health factors in these patients. Aim: To identify the global health benefits of physical activity in children with type 1 diabetes. Methods: To perform this systematic review, search strategies were created and adapted to four databases. Only randomized controlled trials written in English before 1998 and that answered to the PICOS criteria were included. The PRISMA guidelines were followed to ensure highest scientific rigor within studies. Results: Only seven studies out of 2655 were retained in this systematic review. These studies showed positive gains on global health: blood lipid profile, physical fitness, quality of life and body size and body composition but only one demonstrated a positive effect on glycemic control. Conclusion: Globally, physical activity exerts a positive impact on metabolic (i.e., decrease in total cholesterol, improvement of physical fitness, etc.) and psychological health in children with type 1 diabetes. Yet variations in study protocols or sample size restrict statistical power to reach the outcome of improving glycemic control in most studies. Here, we address the measured outcomes in individual trials and discuss potential key elements to consider for future clinical trials.