Can you provide an example of the expected weekly exercise regime?

Engaging in 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise weekly, as well as incorporating resistance exercise two to three times weekly is what we ask of you. This will be done by yourself at home while wearing a Garmin Venu Sq watch that will help you keep track of this activity, and will also help us monitor your exercise and help you achieve these goals! As the exercise is home-based, you may participate in whatever you please, however, we will also provide you with an exercise calendar that includes online videos to exercise with and without resistance bands, should this be of interest to you! We would love for you to exercise in a way that you find engaging, meaningful, and fun! Stay tuned for HOME T1D runs and exercise classes held on McMaster campus as well!

What are the specific assessments performed during the study visits and how long will they take? 

Click here for a summarized list of all study assessments. Not all assessments will occur at every visit. Study visits will range in time between two and four hours.

What happens during the muscle biopsy and what are the risks involved? 

Skeletal muscle biopsies will be taken from the outside of the upper left thigh. There are four muscle biopsies in total, to be taken on weeks 1, 13, 14, and 18. During this biopsy, a small piece of muscle that resembles the red eraser on the back of a pencil will be removed. The incision that is made to remove this muscle is less than 1cm in length. During the time that the muscle sample is being taken (approximately five seconds), there may be a sensation of pressure in the muscle.  

As with any incision, there is a slight risk of infection, however, this risk is virtually eliminated through proper cleansing of the area and daily changing of wound coverings. In past experience with healthy participants, approximately 1 in 2,000 have experienced local skin infection, and 1 in 1,500 have experienced a temporary loss of sensation in the skin at the site of incision (an area of numbness about the size of a loonie). 

Will I be paid to participate in this study? 

  • You will receive $250.00 for your time. If you withdraw from the study for personal reasons, monetary compensation will be adjusted to reflect the amount of time spent in the study. 
  • Throughout the study, you will receive an information sheet containing the results from your aerobic fitness tests, muscle strength and fatigue tests, and DEXA scans. These tests cost more than $150.00 if completed privately. You will be receiving these results as a thank-you for your participation. If you withdraw from the study for personal reasons, results obtained prior to your withdrawal will still be provided to you. 
  • If your participation in this study continues for the full study duration outlined above, you will be gifted the activity/heart rate monitoring tracker (Garmin Venu Sq watch) that you wore for the duration of the study. This watch has an approximate value of $320.00 and will help you to personally maintain your health after the study has ended. 
  • Your participation in this research project will not involve any additional costs to you. If required, campus parking fees incurred for attending study visits will be paid for by the research team. 

  • Individuals with T1D will also be provided with the Dexcom G7 CGM system to wear for the 18-week duration of the study. The all-in-one sensor and transmitter has an approximate value of $1,350.00 for the entire study period. In addition to this compensation, the Dexcom G7 CGM system will provide you with the confidence to exercise safely and learn more about your glucose patterns in response to exercise. By identifying any trends, you may develop better glucose management strategies to improve your overall time in range.

What information will be kept private?

All data will be stored in a locked filing cabinet under the supervision of Dr. Hawke. He will supervise its access to other members of the research team. Records that contain information that personally identifies you will be kept confidential. Proper procedures and care will be taken to ensure that risk of privacy breach remains at an absolute minimum. This identifying information will not be released to any other person for any reason. If the results of this study are published, your identity will remain confidential. 

Can participation in this study end early?

Participation in this study is your choice. Your decision to participate in this study will in no way affect any care that you receive from your research team. You may refuse to answer any question during this study and remain as a study participant. If you decide to withdraw from this study, please notify the research team immediately.