HIT4HYPOS Continuous Glucose Monitoring Data Analysis: The Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Hypoglycemia in People With Type 1 Diabetes and Impaired Awareness of Hypoglycemia

Abstract

Aims: To assess the impact of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on hypoglycemia frequency and duration in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) with impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH). Methods: Post hoc analysis of four weeks of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data from HIT4HYPOS; a parallel-group study comparing HIIT + CGM versus no exercise + CGM in 18 participants with T1D and IAH. Results: When compared with those participating individuals not exercising, HIIT did not increase total hypoglycemia frequency, THypo(L1) 1.44 [1.00-2.77]% versus 2.53 [1.46-4.23]%; P = .335, THypo(L2) 0.25 [0.09-0.37]% versus 0.45 [0.20-0.78]%; P = .146, HIIT + CGM versus CGM, respectively, rate ( EventPerWeekHypo 5.30 [3.35-8.27] #/week vs 7.45 [3.54-10.81] #/week, P = .340) or duration ( DurationHypo 33.33 [27.60-39.10] minutes vs 39.56 [31.00-48.38] minutes; P = .219, HIIT + CGM vs CGM, respectively). There was a reduction in nocturnal hypoglycemia in those who carried out HIIT, THypo(L1) 0.50 [0.13-0.97]% versus 2.45 [0.77-4.74]%; P = .076; THypo(L2) 0.00 [0.00-0.03]% versus 0.49 [0.13-0.74]%; P = .006, HIIT + CGM versus CGM, respectively. Conclusions/interpretation: Based on CGM data collected from a real-world study of four weeks of HIIT versus no exercise in individuals with T1D and IAH, we conclude that HIIT does not increase hypoglycemia, and in fact reduces exposure to nocturnal hypoglycemia.