Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIM: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effects of exercise training on body composition and cardiometabolic health in patients with Type 1 diabetes (T1D). METHOD: A search in three main databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus was conducted from the inception of this review until June 2024 to identify randomized control trials investigating the effects of exercise training compared to a control on body composition and cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with T1D. The data were pooled using random effects models to calculate weighted mean differences (WMDs), standardized mean differences (SMDs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Overall, 25 studies involving 1120 patients with T1D were included in the meta-analysis. Exercise training decreased body mass index (BMI) [WMD: -0.18 kg.m(2), p = 0.02], fasting glucose [WMD: -14.97 mg/dl, p = 0.01], and HbA1c [WMD: -0.49%, p = 0.003], and increased VO(2max/peak) [WMD: 2.76 mL/kg/min, p = 0.001] as compared with controls. Exercise training had no effect on body fat percentage or lean body mass, lipid profiles, or blood pressure. Subgroup analysis indicated that age, exercise mode, and intervention duration were the main moderators for the beneficial effects of exercise training. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with T1D, exercise training is effective for decreasing body weight and cardiometabolic risk factors.