Feasibility Investigation on the Effects of a 6‐Week Whole‐Body Static Stretching Program in Active Adults With Type 1 Diabetes on Blood Glucose and Insulin Sensitivity
- 1Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement University of Palermo Palermo Italy
- 2Faculty Of Rehabilitation Sciences Nishi Kyushu University Kanzaki Japan
- 3Institute of Sustainability Psychology Leuphana University Lüneburg Lüneburg Germany
Abstract
Background Exercise is a cornerstone non‐pharmacological strategy for glucose management in people with Type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, barriers such as fear of hypoglycemia and time constraints may limit participation in conventional exercise programs. Static stretching (SS) represents a low‐intensity, accessible modality that requires little equipment and may be easily integrated into daily routines; however, its feasibility and acceptability in people with T1D remain unexplored. Objective The primary aim was to assess the feasibility, attendance, adherence, and safety of a 6‐week whole‐body SS program in active adults with T1D. Exploratory aims were glucose management and insulin sensitivity. Methods Twenty‐seven adults with T1D (32.4 ± 9.3 years; 160.6 ± 13.2 cm; 64.6 ± 8.9 kg; 13.8 ± 11.4 years since diagnosis) completed a non‐randomized, controlled feasibility study. Participants underwent an SS intervention or a control condition (CC). The SS protocol, performed twice weekly, included eight exercises (four sets of 30 s each). Feasibility outcomes were recruitment, retention, adherence, and adverse events. Exploratory outcomes included glucose responses (pre‐, post‐, and 1 h post‐exercise), carbohydrate intake, insulin dose (UI/day), and insulin sensitivity index (SI). Results Recruitment was successful, retention was 100% (27/27), and attendance at the stretching sessions was 100% (14/14 participants completed 12/12 sessions), with no serious adverse events reported. Exploratory analyses suggested that the SS group showed favorable post‐1 h glucose levels, insulin dose, and insulin sensitivity, whereas no relevant changes were observed in the CC. No between‐group differences were observed in carbohydrate intake. Conclusion A 6‐week SS program is feasible, safe, and acceptable in adults with T1D, supporting progression to a future randomized controlled trial.
Related
- Adaptation of a diabetes self-management training program for a community setting: evidence of feasibility, acceptability, and program fit
- Numerical investigation of radiative chemically reactive induced-mhd burgers’ nanofluid flow over a nonlinear stretching sheet
- Feasibility, Acceptability, and Initial Efficacy of a Wheelchair Exercise Training Program in People With Multiple Sclerosis
- Feasibility and acceptability of a randomized controlled trial of a patient-centred transition program for stroke survivors and their caregivers—P-NAVISTROKE study
- Feasibility of a prospective cohort study to support future investigation of prognostic factors for venous leg ulcer healing
BibTeX
@article{frenda2026feasibility,
title = {{Feasibility Investigation on the Effects of a 6‐Week Whole‐Body Static Stretching Program in Active Adults With Type 1 Diabetes on Blood Glucose and Insulin Sensitivity}},
author = {Salvatore Frenda and Masatoshi Nakamura and Konstantin Warneke and Salvatore Ficarra and Antonino Bianco and Ewan Thomas},
journal = {Lifestyle Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1002/lim2.70076},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/lim2.70076},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Feasibility Investigation on the Effects of a 6‐Week Whole‐Body Static Stretching Program in Active Adults With Type 1 Diabetes on Blood Glucose and Insulin Sensitivity
AU - Salvatore Frenda
AU - Masatoshi Nakamura
AU - Konstantin Warneke
AU - Salvatore Ficarra
AU - Antonino Bianco
AU - Ewan Thomas
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/26
JO - Lifestyle Medicine
DO - 10.1002/lim2.70076
UR - https://doi.org/10.1002/lim2.70076
AB - Background Exercise is a cornerstone non‐pharmacological strategy for glucose management in people with Type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, barriers such as fear of hypoglycemia and time constraints may limit participation in conventional exercise programs. Static stretching (SS) represents a low‐intensity, accessible modality that requires little equipment and may be easily integrated into daily routines; however, its feasibility and acceptability in people with T1D remain unexplored. Objective The primary aim was to assess the feasibility, attendance, adherence, and safety of a 6‐week whole‐body SS program in active adults with T1D. Exploratory aims were glucose management and insulin sensitivity. Methods Twenty‐seven adults with T1D (32.4 ± 9.3 years; 160.6 ± 13.2 cm; 64.6 ± 8.9 kg; 13.8 ± 11.4 years since diagnosis) completed a non‐randomized, controlled feasibility study. Participants underwent an SS intervention or a control condition (CC). The SS protocol, performed twice weekly, included eight exercises (four sets of 30 s each). Feasibility outcomes were recruitment, retention, adherence, and adverse events. Exploratory outcomes included glucose responses (pre‐, post‐, and 1 h post‐exercise), carbohydrate intake, insulin dose (UI/day), and insulin sensitivity index (SI). Results Recruitment was successful, retention was 100% (27/27), and attendance at the stretching sessions was 100% (14/14 participants completed 12/12 sessions), with no serious adverse events reported. Exploratory analyses suggested that the SS group showed favorable post‐1 h glucose levels, insulin dose, and insulin sensitivity, whereas no relevant changes were observed in the CC. No between‐group differences were observed in carbohydrate intake. Conclusion A 6‐week SS program is feasible, safe, and acceptable in adults with T1D, supporting progression to a future randomized controlled trial.
SN - 2688-3740
ER -