OBJECTIVE Physical activity (PA) can improve cardiovascular risk in the general population and in patients with type 2 diabetes. Studies also indicate an HbA_1c-lowering effect in patients with type 2 diabetes. Since reports in patients with type 1 diabetes are scarce, this analysis aimed to investigate whether there is an association between PA and glycemic control or cardiovascular risk in subjects with type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 18,028 adults (≥18 to <80 years of age) from Germany and Austria with type 1 diabetes from the Diabetes-Patienten-Verlaufsdokumentation (DPV) database were included. Patients were stratified according to their self-reported frequency of PA (PA0, inactive; PA1, one to two times per week; PA2, more than two times per week). Multivariable regression models were applied for glycemic control, diabetes-related comorbidities, and cardiovascular risk factors. Data were adjusted for sex, age, and diabetes duration. P values for trend were given. SAS 9.4 was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS An inverse association between PA and HbA_1c, diabetic ketoacidosis, BMI, dyslipidemia (all P < 0.0001), and hypertension (P = 0.0150), as well as between PA and retinopathy or microalbuminuria (both P < 0.0001) was present. Severe hypoglycemia (assistance required) did not differ in PA groups (P = 0.8989), whereas severe hypoglycemia with coma was inversely associated with PA (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS PA seemed to be beneficial with respect to glycemic control, diabetes-related comorbidities, and cardiovascular risk factors without an increase of adverse events. Hence, our data underscore the recommendation for subjects with type 1 diabetes to perform regular PA.