EXTOD Exercise for Type 1 Diabetes

Research Research

Get involved in our current research studies

Get involved in our current research studies

Current studies that we are recruiting to

EXTOD Active study

People with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) who spend long periods sitting each day have a higher risk of heart disease and early death. Some early research in lab settings suggests that taking short, regular breaks from sitting can help improve blood glucose levels. However, we don’t yet know if this works in everyday life.

This study will explore whether taking regular active breaks during the day helps people with T1D spend more time in their target blood glucose range.

We will recruit 118 adults with T1D who spend 8 or more hours sitting each day. Everyone will wear devices to track their blood glucose, physical activity, and other health information for one week. After that, participants will be randomly split into two groups:

  • The control group will continue with their usual lifestyle.
  • The intervention group will be asked to take a 3-minute walk every 30 minutes between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, for four weeks.

We will compare the amount of time spent in the target blood glucose range before and after the 4-week period to see if regular walking breaks help improve glucose control.

If you are interested in being involved with this study please click here


GlucoseGo Kids: Machine-learning derived tools for supporting exercise in children with type 1 diabetes

Physical activity is strongly encouraged for children with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), but many families report concerns about blood glucose levels dropping too low during or after exercise — a condition known as hypoglycaemia.

To address this, researchers at the University of Exeter have developed GlucoseGo — a tool that uses data and machine learning to predict the risk of exercise-induced hypoglycaemia. The tool has been successfully tested in adults, and this study aims to evaluate its accuracy and usefulness in children and young people aged 5 to 17.

A total of 200 participants will be recruited. Each will be asked to complete a brief questionnaire, keep an exercise diary over a four-week period, and share data from their continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Participation will not involve any changes to treatment or additional clinic visits.

If effective, GlucoseGo could support safer, more confident participation in physical activity for children living with T1D.

This study is funded by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and will take place across five NHS sites: Oxford, Birmingham, UCLH, Yeovil, and Somerset.

If you are interested in taking part or your site would like to be involved, please contact R.C.Andrews@exeter.ac.uk


Up and coming study

Physical activity during pregnancy in women with pre-existing Diabetes

Staying active during pregnancy can improve physical and mental health for both mother and baby. But for women with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes, being active can be more challenging — and there is very little advice that’s specific to their needs.

This study will explore how physical activity changes during pregnancy in women who already have diabetes, and how this activity affects their blood glucose levels and emotional wellbeing.

What will participants do?
Up to 175 pregnant women (75 with Type 1 Diabetes and 100 with Type 2 Diabetes) will be invited to take part through NHS clinics in England. They will be asked to:

  • Wear an activity monitor on their wrist for 7 days in each trimester
  • Keep an exercise diary
  • Use their usual continuous glucose monitor (or be given one) to share glucose data
  • Share photos of their meals
  • Complete a short mental health questionnaire
  • Optionally join a focus group to discuss their experience with physical activity during pregnancy

What is the aim?
The researchers want to:

  • Understand how activity changes across pregnancy
  • Learn how exercise affects blood glucose and emotional wellbeing
  • Identify what support women with diabetes need to stay active during pregnancy

This information will help develop new, better guidance for healthcare professionals and women with diabetes, to support safe and effective physical activity during pregnancy.

This study is currently under ethical review.



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