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How Does Exercise Affect Your Child with Type 1 Diabetes?

Updated: 9/27/21 3:00 pmPublished: 9/27/21
By Arvind Sommi

Learn more about this 10 day, at-home study looking into the effects of exercise on the glucose levels of children with type 1 diabetes.

Trial Name: Type 1 Diabetes Exercise Initiative Pediatric Study

Diabetes Type: Type 1 diabetes in kids and adolescents

What is the trial testing?

This 10 day at-home study is collecting data to help researchers learn more about the effect of exercise on glucose among youth with type 1 diabetes. 

As part of the study, participants will need to complete questionnaires about their normal physical activity and diabetes management participants will continue their regular activity and exercise. They will be asked to wear a Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and a Garmin physical activity tracker to collect data on their glucose and health metrics such as heart rate, activity level, step count, and sleep duration and quality. Additionally, participants will be asked to log information about their diet and exercise into a smartphone app. Participants will be sent all of the devices necessary for the study and will be given instructions for use.

Why is this new and important?

This study, T1-DEXIP, expands upon T1-DEXI, a similar clinical trial assessing the impact of exercise on adults with type 1 diabetes. Research has shown that regular exercise is associated with a lower risk for diabetes complications and can help people manage their weight. However, there are many different factors to consider when exercising with type 1 diabetes. Read “Experts Weigh In on Exercise with Diabetes” to learn how these factors such as pre-exercise glucose levels can be an important consideration especially when trying to avoid hypoglycemia while staying active. 

Data collected from this study could help researchers better understand how exercise influences glucose levels for children with type 1 diabetes, which could be used to develop improved guidelines in the future.

For more information on exercising with diabetes, check out our Exercise Resources.

Trial Length: 10 days from the start of the study

Trial Locations: The study will be conducted remotely. You will meet with study staff via FaceTime, Zoom, or phone call before, during, and after the study. Anyone in the US who meets the other eligibility requirements can participate.

Are you interested? 

You may be eligible to participate in this study if you: 

  • Are between the ages of 12 to 17.

  • Have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for at least three months.

  • Use an insulin pump (including a closed-loop system that is commercially available) or multiple daily injections of insulin.

  • Use a Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitor (CGM) regularly. If you do not use a Dexcom G6 CGM, you must be willing to wear one during the study.

  • Use a smartphone that is compatible with the apps that will be used in the study. If you do not use a smartphone that is compatible with the study apps, you must be willing to use a study-provided iPhone. 

  • Have access to a computer that you can use to download your CGM and pump data and complete study questionnaires.

  • Participate in moderate activity on a regular basis.

  • Live in the United States for the duration of the study.

  • Understand written and spoken English.

For More Information: To learn more, please contact the T1-DEXIP study team at 813-975-8690 or [email protected]

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About the authors

Arvind Sommi joined the diaTribe Foundation in 2021 after graduating with Phi Beta Kappa and honors from the University of Florida where he majored in Biology and minored in Sociology.... Read the full bio »