RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Healthy Outcomes for Muscle with Exercise in T1D

This study, called "Healthy Outcomes for Muscle with Exercise in T1D," is investigating how muscles and tiny blood vessels respond to exercise in people living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). T1D is a lifelong condition that affects many people, and while insulin helps manage it, many still face serious health issues like kidney problems. Regular exercise has many health benefits, but people with T1D sometimes find it hard to exercise due to worries about blood sugar levels. Researchers want to see if exercise can help reduce these complications and if the benefits are different for men and women with T1D. They will also look at the effects of stopping exercise for a period. Ultimately, they hope to find better ways to help people with T1D stay healthy through exercise.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

McMaster University

Enrolment target

168

Start

01 Oct 2023

Estimated completion

01 Nov 2027

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1

What is this study about?

You might be interested in this study if you live with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) and are curious about how exercise affects your body. T1D is a condition where your body doesn't produce insulin, a hormone essential for turning sugar into energy. While insulin injections are vital for survival, many people with T1D can still develop serious health complications over time, such as kidney damage or heart problems.

Regular exercise is known to be very good for our health, including for people with T1D. However, some people with T1D may find it challenging to exercise due to concerns about their blood sugar levels dropping too low. Researchers also believe that the effects of T1D on muscles might be different for men and women, and this could affect how much benefit they get from exercise.

This study aims to discover how T1D impacts your muscles and the tiny blood vessels that feed them, both as you get older and when you exercise regularly or stop exercising. By understanding these effects better, the researchers hope to find new and improved strategies to help people with T1D lead healthier lives, potentially reducing the risk of complications and improving overall well-being.

Key takeaways

This study focuses on how exercise affects muscles and tiny blood vessels in people with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D).
It aims to understand if exercise can help prevent serious health problems linked to T1D.
Researchers will look at both exercise training and periods of stopping exercise.
The study also wants to see if men and women respond differently to exercise.
You might be eligible if you have T1D, are within certain age groups, and are not very active.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you would generally need to be an adult between 18 and 30 years old, or between 45 and 65 years old. The study is looking for people who are not currently very active – this means you typically do less than 2 and a half hours of moderate or vigorous exercise per week.

There are certain reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you regularly take certain medications like anti-inflammatory drugs, or if you have used cannabis, tobacco, or nicotine daily in the last six months. They are also not including people who are very overweight (a BMI over 30), or those with Type 2 Diabetes or prediabetes.

Additionally, you wouldn't be able to participate if you have other health conditions that would make exercising in the study risky, or if you have certain nerve problems linked to diabetes, or have been hospitalised more than once for a serious diabetes complication called diabetic ketoacidosis.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Do I have Type 1 Diabetes?
Am I between 18-30 or 45-65 years old?
Do I currently exercise less than 2.5 hours of moderate-to-vigorous activity per week?
Do I avoid daily use of cannabis, tobacco, or nicotine for at least 6 months?
Do I have a BMI (Body Mass Index) equal to or less than 30?
Do I have no other health conditions that would make exercise risky for me?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

The detailed steps for taking part in this study are not fully described in the information provided. However, based on the study's aim to look at exercise training and detraining, it's likely that you would be asked to participate in a structured exercise programme for a period, followed by a period where you stop exercising. You would also likely have several visits to the study centre for assessments. These assessments would probably include checks of your muscle health and tiny blood vessels, perhaps through scans, blood tests, or muscle biopsies. The study is investigating your body's response over time, so expect multiple visits spread out over a certain duration, potentially weeks or months. Any specific medication requirements or dietary instructions would be clearly explained by the study team, and you would be monitored throughout for your safety.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in any research study has potential benefits and risks. A potential benefit of this study is that it might help us understand more about how exercise can improve health for people living with Type 1 Diabetes, which could lead to better guidance in the future. You might also gain a better understanding of your own body's response to exercise. It's important to remember that participating may involve some risks, such as potential discomfort or injury from exercise, or risks associated with medical procedures like blood tests or muscle biopsies. The study team will carefully explain all known risks and precautions to keep you safe. You always have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

McMaster University
Verified postcode
Hamilton, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 Diabetes is a condition where your body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone vital for allowing sugar (glucose) to enter your cells for energy.

Why is exercise important for people with Type 1 Diabetes?

Exercise can help manage blood sugar levels, improve heart health, and strengthen muscles. It's generally good for overall well-being, though people with T1D need to manage it carefully to prevent blood sugar highs or lows.

What does 'de-training' mean?

De-training simply means a period where you stop or significantly reduce your regular exercise routine. The study wants to see how your body responds when you no longer exercise regularly after a period of training.

Will I have to pay to be part of the study?

Clinical trials generally cover the costs of study-related visits and procedures. You should ask the study team about any potential personal costs, such as travel, and if there's any reimbursement available.

How long will the study last if I join?

The information provided does not state the exact duration. This is an important question to ask the research team, as it will depend on the different phases of exercise and de-training they are studying.

How to find out more

Thomas J Hawke, PhD

hawke@mcmaster.ca 905-525-9140 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.