The Impact of Physical Activity on Executive Function and Health-Related Quality of Life in Youth with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Greater levels of physical activity (PA) in youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has been shown to positively impact quality of life (QoL) in addition to improving physiologic and psychological outcomes. In adults with diabetes, greater levels of PA have also been positively associated with executive functioning (EF), though this relationship remains relatively unexplored in youth. Little is known about the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and EF. Health status and psychosocial variables have been implicated as possible mediators in the relationship between PA and EF, though research with children is sparse. While studies with older adults have shown improvements in QoL and EF with PA interventions, the interrelationship between PA, HRQoL, and EF has not yet been investigated. Using a sample of 116 youth with T1DM recruited from a large tertiary care children’s hospital in the southern United States, this study analyzed if engagement in PA was related to age, sex, EF, and HRQoL. It also investigated if HRQoL was related to EF. Relationships were explored using regression analyses, controlling for time since diabetes diagnosis and socioeconomic status. The study also sought to test HRQoL as a mediator in the relationship between PA and EF. Results did not demonstrate that age or sex alone predicted PA, but age, sex, TSD, and SES explained significantly predicted PA level. PA was not found to significantly predict HRQoL or EF in any capacity, nor did HRQoL predict EF. Sans significant results between PA, EF, and HRQoL, a mediational relationship could not be explored. Future studies may seek to use a broader range of ages, a more accurate measure of PA to draw conclusions, and limit the length of the study protocol to maintain participant motivation and manage fatigue. Furthermore, increasing sample size may lead to finding signify significant results