Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a group of chronic diseases characterized by
hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. In type 1
diabetes, the immune system or damage to the pancreas destroys the beta cells, leading to
reduced or absent insulin production. Physical activity in adolescents plays an important role
in physical and psychological development. It is a significant mediator in regulating
glycemia and preventing pathologies associated with elevated postprandial glucose levels.
Purpose: Thepurpose of this bachelor is thesis was to examine, through a review of the
literature, the positive and negative effects of physical activity on adolescents with type 1
diabetes. Methods: We used a descriptive method through a review of literature in both
Slovenian and English. The literature search was conducted in the databeses PubMed,
Medline, ScienceDirect and CINAHL Ultimate, as well as on the websites of the National
Institute of Public Health. The time frame of literature used ranged from 2014 to 2024.
Results: The results show that regular physical activity positively affects insulin sensitivity,
cardiovascular health, muscle strength, bone density, and physical fitness. Aerobic exercise
lowers blood glucose levels, while anaerobic activity or strength training can cause an
increase in blood glucose. However, it is crucial that any physical activity be tailored to the
adolescent, as the risk ofhypoglycemia significantly increases with improper implementation
and regulation of food intake. Discussion and conclusion: The findings indicate that
physical activity is one of the key methods of non-pharmacological treatment or disease
management. Understanding the nature of diabetes and the impact of physical activity is
essential. It would be beneficial for Slovenia to further explore this field, and to better
empower and educate healthcare professionals, especially nurses, as they are the first point
of contact and support for families and adolescents living with the disease. This could lead
to more adolescents engaging in physical activity, more effective disease management, and
a reduced fear of hypoglycemia among young people.
|
