Research indicates that tailored aerobic workout routines considering sex and initial glucose levels may improve safety and confidence for people with type 1 diabetes, highlighting the importance of personalised exercise advice.
For people living with type 1 diabetes, exercise remains one of the most useful tools for improving long-term health, but a one-size-fits-all plan may not be the safest approach. Research led by the Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco in Brazil and Staffordshire University suggests that aerobic workouts can affect blood glucose differently in men and women, with the findings published in the American Journal of Cardiology. The study argues for exercise plans that take sex and starting glucose levels into account rather than relying on a single standard routine.
The researchers tested 19 adults with type 1 diabetes in supervised treadmill sessions. Participants completed both interval training, which alternated between lower and higher intensities, and continuous exercise at a steady pace. The results showed that men generally experienced a sharper fall in glucose after aerobic exercise, particularly after continuous sessions, and were also more likely to develop hypoglycaemia. Women also saw glucose reductions, but the changes were more modest.
Staffordshire University said the aim was not only to understand blood sugar responses, but also to address a common barrier to exercise: fear of low glucose and the discomfort that can come with activity. That concern has long been recognised in diabetes care, where avoiding hypoglycaemia is often as important as gaining fitness. The broader message from the study is that more personalised advice may help people stay active for longer and with greater confidence.
The new findings also fit with earlier research suggesting that exercise responses in type 1 diabetes can vary by sex, intensity and duration. More recent real-world data, including large studies published in Diabetologia, has reinforced the idea that personalised planning matters because glucose responses during and after exercise can differ widely from one session to the next. For patients, the practical advice remains familiar: check glucose before, during and after exercise, stay hydrated, and speak to a clinician before starting a new programme.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
