Health · Fitness & Nutrition · 1 day ago
Exercise can improve blood sugar control in children with type 1 diabetes
Children with type 1 diabetes can take part in sports and other physical activity.
The condition is caused by the immune system damaging insulin-producing cells, so children need insulin from injections or a pump.
A review of 18 studies involving 569 children and teenagers found that exercise programs significantly reduced HbA1c, a measure of long-term blood sugar control.
International guidelines recommend about 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise a day, as they do for other children.
Exercise can also support fitness, muscle strength, heart health, and social well-being.
But activity affects blood sugar in different ways: prolonged aerobic exercise can cause levels to fall, while very intense bursts can temporarily raise them.
The response depends on factors such as exercise type and duration, food eaten beforehand, active insulin, and blood sugar before activity.
The specialist advises planning and monitoring because the body cannot automatically adjust insulin during exercise.
Children with type 1 diabetes can take part in sports, but their blood glucose needs careful monitoring and management.
A meta-analysis published in August 2026 examined 18 studies involving 569 children and adolescents and found that exercise-based interventions significantly reduced HbA1c, a measure of long-term blood glucose control.
International guidelines recommend about 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise each day for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes, the same recommendation as for other children.
Prolonged aerobic exercise can cause blood glucose to fall, while very intense efforts such as sprints may temporarily raise it.
Thanasis Tziamourtas, a researcher at the University of Thessaly, says insulin and carbohydrate adjustments should be individualized with the child’s medical team.
- Who
- Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes, their parents and their medical teams
- What
- Guidance on exercise, its benefits and the need to monitor and manage blood glucose
- When
- Published October 10, 2026; the cited meta-analysis was published in August 2026
- Where
- Worldwide; Tziamourtas is based at the University of Thessaly in Greece
- Why
- Exercise can benefit health and blood glucose control, but activity can cause blood glucose to rise or fall.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
El ejercicio regular mejora la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria, la fuerza muscular, la sensibilidad a la insulina, la composición corporal y los factores de riesgo cardiovascular. Al mismo tiempo, aporta beneficios psicológicos y sociales y ayuda a que un niño sienta que puede participar en las mismas actividades que sus compañeros
No existe una única respuesta de la glucosa al ejercicio. Depende de la intensidad y la duración del esfuerzo, del tipo de práctica, de la condición física, de la comida previa, de la cantidad de insulina activa y de la cifra antes de iniciar
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Children and adolescents under 20 living with type 1 diabetes worldwide
- 1.9 million, according to the International Diabetes Federation Atlas cited in the article
- Meta-analysis
- Published in August 2026; reviewed 18 studies involving 569 children and adolescents
- Recommended daily exercise
- About 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity
- Researcher
- Thanasis Tziamourtas of the University of Thessaly, Greece
Sources
Related news
Japanese study links enclosed streetscapes with better sleep
Peanuts or pistachios: Which is better for your health?
Study links fitness apps with shame and frustration for some users
Planning and portioning freezer foods can make healthy meals quicker
Screen use and poor posture can put added strain on the neck
Japan study warns children’s screen time may increase prolonged sitting
How prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics differ
Five simple exercises aim to support strength and balance after 50
Hip tightness is not uniquely linked to stress or past trauma
63-Year-Old Says Month of Daily Dead Hangs Improved Mobility and Strength
Dwayne Johnson uses a rice, blueberry and protein shake after training
