People with type 1 diabetes exhibit lower exercise capacity compared to a control population with similar physical activity levels.

AIMS: We aimed to assess physical activity (PA) levels, adherence to PA guidelines, and fitness capacity in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and control population.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 232 T1D and 248 controls. PA levels (IPAQ-SF questionnaire), adherence to guidelines (>150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous PA), fitness capacity (VO2 max, maximal incremental test on a cycle ergometer and 1RM test) were assessed, along with other clinical variables.

RESULTS: Total PA levels (T1D 2202 ± 1839 vs. controls 2357 ± 2189 METs/min/week), adherence (T1D 53.1 % vs controls 53.2 %), and sedentariness (T1D 27.3 % vs. controls 25.1 %) were similar between groups. However, participants with T1D exhibited significantly lower levels of VO2 max (29.1 ± 10.5 vs. 32.5 ± 11.5 mlO2 /kg/min, p < 0.001), work capacity (2.73 ± 1.03 vs. 3 ± 10 W/kg of body weight, p = 0.004) and strength capacity (2.29 ± 0.53 vs. 2.41 ± 0.79 kg/kg body weight in 1RM, p = 0.01) than controls, after adjusting for sex and age.

CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with T1D exhibit lower fitness capacity compared to a control population, regardless of age and sex, even when presenting similar levels of total physical activity and adherence to guidelines.