The effect of 10 weeks of home-based supervised aerobic and resistance exercise training in individuals with cystic fibrosis-related diabetes

Background: Regular exercise provides important benefits to individuals with cystic fibrosis; however, no studies have investigated the effects of regular exercise in patients with cystic fibrosis‐related diabetes (CFRD). This thesis examined the effects of supervised home‐based aerobic and resistance exercise training on blood glucose control, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, lung function, body composition and quality of life in patients with CFRD. Methods: Six patients with CFRD were recruited for this study. Participants were allocated to an exercise or a control group for a period of 10 weeks, before crossing over to the alternative group. A 10 week wash‐out period occurred between exercise and control periods. During the exercise intervention, patients completed two sessions per week of supervised, home‐based exercise involving a combination of aerobic and resistance activities. During the control period, patients maintained their normal activity routine. Outcome measures were assessed pre‐ and post‐intervention. Results: Adherence to the exercise training was excellent, with each participant completing all scheduled exercise sessions. Exercise training improved cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength (p <0.05), and tended to increase lean mass (p = 0.089). There were no significant changes in glucose tolerance or glycaemic control as a result of exercise intervention; however, following the equivalent control period there was a worsening of glucose tolerance to an oral glucose load (p <0.05) and a tendency for increased fasting blood glucose levels (p = 0.09). There were no significant changes in lung function or quality of life as a result of the intervention. Conclusion: Regular exercise is beneficial for individuals with CFRD and should be encouraged as part of routine management of the condition.