IMPACT OF SPINNING AND SWIMMING EXERCISES ON METABOLIC AND FUNCTIONAL PARAMETERS IN A FEMALE PATIENT WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS-A CASE STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31891/pcs.2026.1.62Keywords:
impact, spinning, swimming, type 1 diabetes mellitus, case studyAbstract
The review of the specialized literature highlights the essential role of regular physical activity in improving insulin sensitivity, glycemic control, and overall functional status in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Aerobic exercise, performed consistently and adapted to individual capacity, contributes to the regulation of glucose metabolism, enhancement of cardiorespiratory fitness, and improvement of quality of life. The present study included a 17-year-old female patient diagnosed with T1DM at the age of 10, undergoing a basal–bolus insulin regimen. The intervention program was carried out over a four-month period and consisted of two types of aerobic activity: spinning (two sessions per week, 45 minutes each, at an intensity of 60–75% of maximum heart rate) and swimming (two sessions per week, 40 minutes each). The working hypothesis was that the consistent inclusion of these moderate-intensity exercises would lead to improvements in metabolic control, reflected by reductions in blood glucose levels and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), as well as in functional capacity, indicated by a decrease in resting heart rate, without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. HbA1c represents an indicator of average blood glucose levels over the previous 2-3 months and is essential in assessing metabolic control. The results demonstrated significant improvements in the analyzed parameters following the intervention period. The study concludes that regular, monitored, and individualized physical activity contributes to optimizing metabolic control, reducing HbA1c levels, increasing exercise tolerance, and improving the lipid profile, with the combination of spinning and swimming proving to be both effective and safe for patients with T1DM.
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