Physical fitness of children and adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

The physical working capacity (PWC170) of 84 children and adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and of 94 non-diabetic subjects was measured by a submaximal progressive exercise test. The age of the diabetic subjects ranged from 6.3 to 18.8 years and that of the control subjects from 8.5 to 18.8 years. The PWC170 of diabetic boys was lower than that of non-diabetic boys (p less than 0.01) while no difference was observed between diabetic and non-diabetic girls. PWC170 was inversely related to age (p less than 0.01) and concentration of hemoglobin A1 (p less than 0.025) in diabetic boys but not in diabetic girls. No relationship was observed between PWC170 and duration of diabetes in either boys or in girls. The results indicate that good physical fitness in boys is associated with a better metabolic control. Hence the study indirectly supports previous observations that physical activity improves the metabolic control of IDDM.