Background: Previous studies of aerobic exercise have found lower sensor accuracy during exercise. Whether or not resistance exercise would also be associated with lower sensor accuracy has not yet been examined. This study sought to investigate the accuracy of continuous glucose monitoring sensor values at rest, during aerobic exercise, and during resistance exercise.
Subjects and methods: Twelve individuals with type 1 diabetes performed 45 min of aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, or no exercise/rest followed by 60 min of recovery while monitored by continuous glucose monitoring systems.
Results: Sensors underestimated plasma glucose to the greatest extent during rest (-1.29 ± 1.39 mmol/L, P<0.001) and resistance exercise (-0.71 ± 1.35 mmol/L, P<0.001) and least during aerobic exercise (-0.11 ± 1.71 mmol/L, P=0.416).
Conclusions: Optimal accuracy observed with aerobic exercise might arise from augmented blood flow better equilibrating plasma and interstitial fluid or from the combination of systematic sensor underestimation and sensor lag time.