Effect of Aerobic and Resistance Training on GDF-15 Levels in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes

Background and purpose: Increasing prevalence of diabetes and its complications, including cardiovascular problems increase the cost of health care which could be diminished with proper planning to change lifestyle. The present study investigated the effect of aerobic and resistance trainings on blood GDF15 level as a protective marker on cardiovascular cells in patients with type 1 diabetes. Materials and methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 32 patients with type 1 diabetes were divided into aerobic training group and resistance exercise training group. Serum GDF15 levels were measured in all patients before and after the exercises. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney and Bootstrap in SPSS. Results: In this study, the GDF-15 levels significantly increased after the exercises (P <0.05) and the effect size was 15%. The GDF-15 levels were found to be significantly higher in aerobic training group than resistance exercise training group (P <0.05). Conclusion: There is a positive relationship between exercise and GDF15 level in type 1 diabetic patients which is more significant in aerobic training group.