Insulin Pump Therapy Is Associated with Less Post-Exercise Hyperglycemia than Multiple Daily Injections: An Observational Study of Physically Active Type 1 Diabetes Patients

Abstract Background: Aerobic exercise typically decreases blood glucose levels in individuals with type 1 diabetes. It is currently unknown if glucose responses to exercise and recovery differ between patients on multiple daily insulin injections (MDI) and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). Subjects and Methods: Nineteen (16 male, three female) physically active individuals with type 1 diabetes took part in this observational study. Interstitial glucose levels (blinded) were compared during 45 min of standardized aerobic exercise (cycling or running at 60% peak aerobic capacity) and during 6 h of postexercise recovery between individuals using MDI (n=9) and CSII (n=10) therapy. Results: Both MDI and CSII groups had similar reductions in glucose levels during exercise, but responses in early and late recovery differed (group×time interaction, P<0.01). Participants using MDI had greater increases in glucose throughout recovery compared with individuals with CSII. Two-thirds of the MDI patients...