Grant: Doctoral Research Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

The number of Canadians living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) continues to rise. T1D is an autoimmune disease where the body does not make insulin, which brings glucose (sugar) out of the blood and into cells. T1D is treated by insulin therapy, which involves using daily needles or an insulin pump. Even with modern treatments, most individuals with T1D spend ~50% of their time outside the acceptable blood sugar target range (4-10 mmol/L). While exercise is known to help lower blood sugar in diabetes, the optimal timing and intensity for individuals with T1D are unclear. Endurance exercise, like walking or running, can help take sugar out of the blood and into cells, lowering blood sugar levels. This can be beneficial if blood sugar levels are elevated but dangerous when low blood sugar develops. Research has shown that three short bouts of moderate or intense activity a day, called exercise 'snacks', are a time-efficient way to improve blood sugar outcomes in a healthy population. Studies have not examined whether exercise snacks can improve blood sugar control in individuals with T1D. The proposed at-home study will observe 60 people with T1D, aged 18-60, who use an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor. The total study length will be two weeks. Participants will be randomized into two groups: (1) control or (2) exercise snack. The control group will be asked to continue their standard physical activity routines. The exercise snack group will be asked to incorporate three daily bouts of exercise snacks into their current routine. The results of this study will look at blood sugar management between conditions. Sex differences in response to the intervention will also be assessed. It is expected that individuals in the exercise snack group will have improved blood sugar control compared to the control group. This study may help create time-efficient exercise guidelines to improve blood sugar control and enhance patient care in persons with T1D.