Relationship Between Physical Activity Patterns and Glycemic Variability in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Physical activity can influence glucose regulation in adults with type 2 diabetes, although the relationship between activity patterns and day-to-day glycemic variability is not fully understood. This study evaluated the association between physical activity patterns and glycemic variability among adults with established type 2 diabetes. A cross-sectional study included 146 adults who underwent 14 days of continuous glucose monitoring and wearable activity monitoring. Physical activity was assessed according to total daily activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and sedentary time. Glycemic variability was evaluated using glucose coefficient of variation and standard deviation. Participants with higher levels of regular physical activity demonstrated lower glycemic variability and greater time in the target glucose range. In contrast, greater sedentary time and irregular activity patterns were associated with higher glucose variability. After adjustment for age, sex, BMI, HbA1c, diabetes duration, and treatment type, regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity remained independently associated with lower glycemic variability. These findings suggest that both the amount and regularity of physical activity may be relevant to daily glucose stability in adults with type 2 diabetes.