Jundishapur Scientific Medical Journal

Jundishapur Scientific Medical Journal

The Effect of Regular Exercise Training on Frequency-Domain Parameters of Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Zahra Rabanian Najafabadi 1
Farzad Nazem 2
Hossein Saki 3
1 MSc in Exercise Physiology, Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
2 Professor of Work and Exercise Physiology, Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
3 PhD in Exercise Physiology, Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
10.22118/jsmj.2025.490617.3751
Abstract
Background and Objectives Autonomic nervous system dysfunction can lead to cardiovascular complications in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This study aimed to investigate the effects of regular exercise training on heart rate variability (HRV) in the frequency domain among patients with T1D.
Subjects and Methods This semi-experimental study involved 24 insulin-dependent adolescent boys with T1D and 12 healthy age-matched boys (aged 12–18 years) who were selected and divided into three groups: healthy, diabetic control, and diabetic exercise. The diabetic exercise group performed combined training three times per week continued for 12 weeks. Blood and cardiac variables were measured 48 hours before and 72 hours after the intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-tests and one-way ANOVA.
Results After intervention, the diabetic exercise group experienced a significant increase in VO₂max and high-frequency (HF) components of HRV, along with a significant decrease in resting heart rate (HRrest), low-frequency to high-frequency ratio (LF/HF), and glycemic index (P<0.05). Furthermore, intergroup analysis of pre- and post-test differences showed significant changes in VO₂max, HRrest, HF, LF/HF, and blood glucose indices in the diabetic exercise group compared to the healthy and diabetic control groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion Our findings indicate that regular exercise training combined with insulin-dependent therapy may help improve cardiovascular function (heart rate variability) in adolescent boys with T1D.
Keywords
Heart rate variability
Regular exercise training
Type 1 diabetes
Subjects
 
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  • Receive Date 29 November 2024
  • Revise Date 17 September 2025
  • Accept Date 23 July 2025