Can an App Make Resistance Training Easier for Teens with Type 1 Diabetes?

Physical activity is recommended as an important part of Type 1 diabetes management for children and adolescents. Yet many young people with Type 1 diabetes fall short of current exercise guidelines. One major barrier is fear of hypoglycemia—the worry that physical activity will cause blood sugar to drop too low.

Resistance training, also called strength training, has shown promise for young people with diabetes. It may help build and maintain muscle mass and support bone health. However, resistance training is not commonly offered as part of standard diabetes care in pediatric clinics, and guidance on how to do it safely remains limited.

Diactive-1 is a mobile health (mHealth) app designed specifically for young people with Type 1 diabetes. The app delivers two main components: personalized resistance-training programs and educational support focused on glucose management.

The app includes built-in safety features, such as glucose thresholds that guide when it may be safe to exercise. It also uses gamification—game-like features and rewards—to keep young people engaged and motivated to use the program regularly.

Researchers are conducting a 12-week randomized controlled trial at 11 pediatric endocrinology clinics across Spain. The study includes 158 children and adolescents aged 10 to 18 years with Type 1 diabetes. Half will use the Diactive-1 app, while the other half will receive usual clinical care.

The primary goal is to measure whether the app improves handgrip strength—a standard measure of overall muscle strength. Researchers will also track secondary outcomes including blood sugar stability, insulin requirements, heart and metabolic health markers, physical fitness, quality of life, mental well-being, how easy the app is to use, and how often participants actually engage with it.

If Diactive-1 proves effective, it could offer a new way to help young people with Type 1 diabetes overcome barriers to exercise. By combining personalized strength training with real-time glucose safety guidance, the app may help close a gap in diabetes care and support both physical and mental health.

Results from this trial are expected to show whether app-based resistance training is a practical tool that families can incorporate into diabetes management routines.

Source: Frontiers in endocrinology. Evidence type: PubMed indexed literature. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.