Home-HIT and Type 1 Diabetes

This study aimed to use a multi-disciplinary approach to evaluate a home-based high-intensity interval training (Home-HIT) intervention in people with type 1 diabetes.

Eleven individuals with type 1 diabetes (4 men/7 women; age 30±3 years; BMI 27.1±1.2 kg·m-2; V ̇O2peak 32.4±2.1 ml∙kg∙min-1; duration of type 1 diabetes 10±2 years) completed six weeks of Home-HIT. The effect of Home-HIT on V ̇O2peak, blood pressure, insulin dose and glycaemic profile was assessed pre and post-training. Adherence and ability to meet target heart rate (HR) thresholds (compliance) were monitored using a HR monitor and mobile phone application. Change in glycaemia was measured pre, post and 1h post exercise sessions throughout the six-week period. A qualitative online survey was completed post-training.

This is the first study to combine physiological outcomes with a qualitative evaluation of a training intervention in people with type 1 diabetes. Home-HIT resulted in high adherence alongside increased V ̇O2peak and decreased insulin dose. Because Home-HIT is time-efficient and removes barriers to exercise including fear of hypoglycaemia, it may represent an effective strategy to increase exercise participation in people with type 1 diabetes.

Inclusion criteria

• duration of type 1 diabetes >6 months,
• no significant history of hyper- or hypoglycaemia

Exclusion criteria

• duration of type 1 diabetes <6 months,
• significant history of hyper- or hypoglycaemia,
• pregnancy or planning pregnancy,
• uncontrolled hypertension (>180/100 mmHg),
• angina
• autonomic neuropathy,
• taking any medication that affects heart rate (HR)
• major surgery planned within 6 weeks of the study
• severe nonproliferative
• unstable proliferative retinopathy