Introduction: Physical activity is important for managing type 1 diabetes (T1D) and reducing the risk of associated complications; therefore, it is important to recognise the differences in their physiological response to a single exercise session and a repeated endurance exercise compared to healthy peers. Aim: To determine changes in cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic parameters during and after short-term submaximal exercise (SGSE) and the influence of endurance exercise (EE) on this response in T1D athletes compared to controls. Methods: Nine recreational T1D athletes and nine healthy controls performed SGSE on a cycloergometer with a 20-minute recovery. After the control SGSE, an EE was performed in form of a two-hour cycling session. The SGSE was repeated 30 minutes and 24 hours after EE. Cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic parameters were measured non-invasively before, at the end of and after SGSE. The study was divided into three parts: (1) differences in the response to a control SGSE in T1D patients and controls; (2) influence of EE on SGSE immediately after and one day after EE compared to the control response; (3) comparison of the response to the training protocol under (2) in both groups. Results: Comparing results of the first part of the study, we determined statistically significant differences between T1D patients and controls in certain respiratory, metabolic and cardiovascular parameters. T1D patients had statistically significantly different values of certain cardiovascular and respiratory parameters after EE compared to control values. In certain cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic parameters, we determined a statistically significant group-time interaction after EE. Discussion and conclusion: The response of T1D athletes to SGSE differed from that of controls. EE leads to changes in physiological responses to SGSE in T1D patients, but these changes are less significant than in healthy subjects. They could be attributed to an attenuated autonomic nervous system influence on the heart, microvascular system, and respiration, as well as a decreased ability of skeletal muscles to metabolise fat in T1D athletes compared to controls, which should have implications for T1D exercise planning. To confirm this conclusion, further studies in this field would be needed, possibly uncovering underlying physiological mechanisms.
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