Hypoglycemia Fear a Barrier to Exercise for Type 1 Diabetics

Despite the well-known benefits of exercise, this new study builds on previous investigations that found more than 60 percent of adult diabetics aren't physically active.

"Our findings confirmed our clinical suspicion," says Dr. Remi Rabasa-Lhoret, co-author of the study, a professor at the University of Montreal’s Faculty of Medicine and an endo. "Exercise has been proven to improve health and one would assume diabetics would remain active. Yet our findings indicate that type 1 diabetics, much like the general public, are not completely comfortable with exercise."

One hundred adults, 50 women and 50 men, with type 1 diabetes answered questionnaires to assess their barriers to physical activity. The biggest fear was hypoglycemia; other barriers included interference with work schedule, loss of control over diabetes and low levels of fitness.

When questioned further, only 52 of the participants demonstrated appropriate knowledge of how insulin is metabolized and processed. Those individuals who best understood how insulin works were shown to be less fearful of physical activity. Such knowledge is essential in order to adapt insulin and/or food intake to prevent hypoglycemia induced by exercise.

"Our study was launched to find ways to make diabetics healthier and suggests there is a major gap in information and support required by these patients," says Anne-Sophie Brazeau, lead author and doctoral student. "Programs aimed an increasing physical activity among type 1 adult diabetics need to incorporate specific actions to prevent hypoglycemia."
"We also found that individuals with the greatest fear of physical activity had the poorest control of their diabetes," says Dr. Hortensia Mircescu, co-author of the study, a professor at the University of Montreal's Faculty of Medicine and an endocrinologist. "Education is particularly relevant for this group."

Diabetes Care, Nov 2008 "Barriers to Physical Activity Among Patients With Type 1 Diabetes"