The SMART B Exercise Study :''The SMART Study''

Overview

Despite the established health benefits conveyed by physical activity for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D), participation rates remain low, with fear of hypoglycaemia, lack of freedom to engage in unplanned activities, and uncertainty in making appropriate adjustments to insulin and nutritional therapy reported as the leading barriers to regular exercise engagement. Indeed, the synergistic glucose lowering effects of peripheral hyperinsulinaemia and exercising muscle tissue accentuate the risk of exercise-related hypoglycaemia for individuals with T1D, particularly if performed post-prandially. Hence, the introduction of commercially available artificial pancreas systems, also known as ''advanced hybrid-closed-loop'' (AHCL) systems, that regulate insulin rates with minimal user interaction constitute compelling therapeutic aids with clinically relevant potential. Nevertheless, we know little about their safe and efficacious integration around dynamic physical exercise. Nor do we know how alterations in carbohydrate fueling strategies around exercise effect subsequent glucose trends. This study aims to 1) compare the efficacy of an AHCL system versus usual care insulin pump therapy, with carbohydrates taken before or during exercise, in optimising TIR around dynamic physical exercise and 2) explore the influence of carbohydrate intake before versus during exercise on the metabolomic, hormonal and physiological responses to exercise.

Following successful completion of a screening visit, participants will attend the laboratory to complete 3 experimental visits during which they will undertake a 45-minute bout of moderate intensity continuous exercise on a bicycle ergometer at \~60% of the individualised VȮ2max. Prior to commencing exercise, participants will consume a standardised low-glycaemic index, carbohydrate-based meal (equating to 0.75g.CHO.kg.bm-1) with, or without, a 25% reduction in their meal-time insulin dose as well as with carbohydrates before or during exercise (according to the randomisation). Venous blood glucose sampling will be taken in 15-minute intervals leading into and after exercise with 5-minute intervals performed during exercise. Samples will be used to retrospectively cross-compare the metabolic, hormonal, and physiological responses between visits. Visits 1 \& 2 will be separated by ≥14 days to ensure adequate familiarisation with the AHCL system whilst visits 2 \& 3 will be separated by ≥3days. Each participant will undertake 1 screening and 3 experimental visits equating to a total of 80 study visits.