<b>Objective</b>
<p>In type 1 diabetes, autonomic dysfunction may occur early
as a decrease in heart rate variability (HRV). In nondiabetic populations, the positive effects of exercise
training on HRV are well documented. However, exercise in individuals with type
1 diabetes, particularly if strenuous and prolonged, can lead to sharp glycemic
variations, which can negatively impact HRV. This study explores the impact of a
9-day cycling tour on HRV in this population, with a focus on exercise-induced
glycemic excursions<i>.</i></p>
<p><b>Research Design and Methods</b></p>
<p>Twenty amateur athletes with uncomplicated type 1
diabetes cycled 1500km. HRV and glycemic variability were measured by heart
rate and continuous glucose monitoring. Linear mixed models were used to test
the effects of exercise on HRV, considering concomitant glycemic excursions and
subject characteristics as covariates.</p>
<p><b>Results</b></p>
<p>Nighttime HRV tended to decrease with the daily
distance traveled. The more time the subjects spent in hyperglycemia, the lower
the parasympathetic tone was. This result is striking given that hyperglycemic
excursions progressively increased throughout the 9 days of the tour, and to a
greater degree on the days a longer distance was traveled, while time spent in
hypoglycemia surprisingly decreased. This phenomenon occurred despite no changes
in insulin administration and a decrease in carbohydrate intake from snacks. </p>
<p><b>Conclusions</b></p>
<p><a>In sports enthusiasts with type 1 diabetes</a>, multiday prolonged exercise at moderate-to-vigorous intensity worsened
hyperglycemia with the latter being negatively associated with parasympathetic
cardiac tone. Considering the putative deleterious consequences on cardiac
risks, future work should focus on understanding and managing exercise-induced
hyperglycemia.</p>