title: The Effect of Handcycle Ergometer Exercise on Glucose Tolerance in Ambulatory and Non-Ambulatory Adolescents.
abstract: Whole body or leg exercise before a meal can increase insulin sensitivity, but it is unclear whether the same can occur with upper body exercise since a smaller muscle mass is activated. We measured the impact of a single session of handcycle exercise on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.
  
  
  
  Nonambulatory (Non-Amb) adolescents with spina bifida or cerebral palsy (4F/3M), or ambulatory peers (Control, 4F/7M) completed 2 glucose tolerance tests on separate days, preceded by either rest or a 35-min bout of moderate-to-vigorous intermittent handcycle exercise.
  
  
  
  The Non-Amb group had higher body fat (mean ± SD: 38 ± 12%, Control: 24 ± 9, p = .041) but similar VO2peak(17.7 ± 6.1 ml/kg/min, Control: 21.1 ± 7.9). Fasting glucose and insulin were normal for all participants. Compared with the rest trial, exercise resulted in a reduction in glucose area under the curve (11%, p = .008) without a significant group x trial interaction and no difference in the magnitude of change between groups. Insulin sensitivity was increased 16% (p = .028) by exercise in the Control group but was not significantly changed in the Non-Amb group.
  
  
  
  A single bout of handcycle exercise improves glucose tolerance in adolescents with and without mobility limitations and could therefore help maintain or improve metabolic health.
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
authors.forename: Kevin R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Short
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
authors.forename: April M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Teague
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
authors.forename: Jake C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Malm-Buatsi
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Frimberger
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity; D000293:Adolescent; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D016552:Ergometry; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose