Home resistance training and leisure activity both improve blood sugar and boost helpful GLP-1 hormone in children with type 1 diabetes
Last updated May 7, 2026
Key finding
An 8-week study of 20 children with type 1 diabetes found that both home-based resistance training and leisure-time physical activities improved blood sugar control and increased GLP-1 hormone levels, with resistance training showing greater cardiovascular benefits.
This study tested two types of exercise in children with type 1 diabetes: structured home resistance workouts and self-chosen leisure activities like sports. After 8 weeks, both groups saw lower blood sugar levels and increased levels of GLP-1, a hormone that helps with insulin. The resistance training group showed better improvements in cardiovascular fitness.
Quick read
Study at a glance
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EvidenceScore™
Low
Study type
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
Follow-up
Short-Term (≤3 mo)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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Plain-language summary
What this paper says
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
An 8-week study of 20 children with type 1 diabetes found that both home-based resistance training and leisure-time physical activities improved blood sugar control and increased GLP-1 hormone levels, with resistance training showing greater cardiovascular benefits.
Published in
Journal Reference
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Nazari M, Minasian V, Hovsepian S. Impact of an 8-week home-based resistance training and leisure-time physical activity on serum glucagon-like peptide-1 and microRNA-192 levels in children with type 1 diabetes: A randomized clinical trial. J Res Med Sci. 2025;30:58.
Main Effects
↓ Fasting blood glucose (30-35 mg/dL reduction in both groups)
↑ GLP-1 hormone levels (2.5-3.7 pg/mL increase)
↓ MicroRNA-192 levels (58-60% decrease in both groups)
↑ Cardiovascular fitness (greater in resistance training group)
Evidence Suggest
- Both structured home resistance training and self-chosen leisure activities effectively reduce fasting blood glucose in children with type 1 diabetes
- Exercise increases GLP-1 secretion and decreases miRNA-192 expression, potentially supporting pancreatic β-cell health
- Home-based resistance training produces superior cardiovascular fitness gains compared to leisure-time activities
Who this applies to
This research applies to children with type 1 diabetes (average age 12-13 years) who have been diagnosed for at least 2 years and are not currently engaged in regular exercise. The findings may be particularly relevant for families looking for practical, home-based or recreational physical activity options.
Keep in Mind
The study was quite small with only 20 children total, which limits how confidently we can apply these findings. The 8-week timeframe was relatively short, and longer studies are needed to see if these benefits persist and lead to meaningful improvements in long-term diabetes control (HbA1c). The leisure activity group had less structured exercise, so intensity and type varied between participants. Both groups showed improvements, but we don't know how they compare to children who don't exercise at all.
Between the Lines
- Very small sample size (10 participants per group) limits statistical power and generalizability
- Short 8-week duration may be insufficient to detect HbA1c changes
- No true control group (no exercise comparison)
- Exercise intensity in leisure group was not controlled or monitored
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