Muscular fitness contributes to functional capacity and metabolic health, although the effects of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) on dynamic and isometric muscle performance remain incompletely characterized. A study published in Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews evaluated muscular fitness and lower limb power in adults with T1DM compared with matched healthy controls.

The study included 67 adults with T1DM matched for age, sex, body mass index, and physical activity level with 67 participants without diabetes. Muscular fitness assessments included handgrip strength, knee extensor isometric maximal torque, and the 10-repetition sit-to-stand test. Lower limb specific power was calculated using the ratio between sit-to-stand performance and skeletal muscle mass.

Findings

• Participants with T1DM demonstrated slower sit-to-stand performance than controls (20.2 vs 18.6 seconds; P < 0.01).
• Specific lower limb power was lower in the T1DM group than in controls (5.3 vs 5.9 W/kg; P < 0.01).
• No significant differences were observed between groups for handgrip strength or knee extensor isometric maximal torque.
• Dynamic muscle performance measures differed despite preserved isometric strength parameters.

The findings demonstrated reduced dynamic muscle function and lower limb specific power in adults with T1DM, while isometric strength measures remained preserved. These results suggest differing effects of T1DM on dynamic versus static muscle performance components.