Effect of exercise on HbA1c at the National Diabetes Challenge: a point-of-care testing method

Rationale:
The risk of microvascular and macrovascular complications in people with diabetes increases as the HbA1c value in the blood increases. Previous studies have shown that exercise has a positive influence on HbA1c in people with diabetes. Never before has repeated research been conducted into the effects of an intensive period of (organised) walking on blood HbA1c levels in the Dutch population of diabetes patients.

Aim:
The primary aim of the study is to increase knowledge about the short and medium term effect of an intensive period of (organised) exercise on the level of HbA1c in the blood of diabetics. This can help caregivers in giving lifestyle advice to people with diabetes. Secondary objective is insight into experiences with a scientifically proven, accurate and reliable, but hardly used point-of-care testing method for determining the HbA1c content with blood from a finger prick. The results from this study can be used by GPs when choosing whether to use the new measurement method in their practices.

Research design:
Cohort study.

Research population:
Adult patients (18 years or older) with diabetes mellitus (types 1 and 2) participating in the National Diabetes Challenge (20 weeks of organised walking).

Measurements:
- POCT measurement of HbA1c during last day of the National Diabetes Challenge, after 3 months and after 6 months
- Baseline value of HbA1c retrieved retrospectively at central laboratory
- Patient questionnaires during last week of National Diabetes Challenge, after 3 months and after 6 months

A decrease in HbA1c directly after the National Diabetes Challenge compared to baseline.

Baseline, last day of National Diabetes Challenge, 3 months, 6 months

None, participants walk organised as part of the National Diabetes Challenge