Aims: To access whether a personal attitude to physical activity (PA) may influence the appearance of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) patients with well controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus. Methods: 90 patients attending the diabetes technology outpatient clinic were enrolled. DPN was investigated according to the Toronto consensus diagnostic criteria. PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Results: PA was low in 21.1%, moderate in 42.2%, and high in 36.7% of patients. According to Toronto criteria we defined two categories: the first one with DPN absent or possible (57 (63.3%)) and a second one with DPN certain or probable (33 (36.7%)). The χ2-test of the PA groups and the DPN categories showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.001), with less neuropathy in patients belonging to the group of moderate/high PA. Exposure to a minimum of 600 Mets/week, was protective factor against the onset of DPN (odds ratio 0.221, c.i. 0.068-0.720, p=0.012) Conclusion: This study suggests that DPN is less present in type 1 diabetic patients with a good metabolic control and a personal habit to PA. Moderate-to-vigorous PA of at least 600 METs/week might be a protective factor against DPN.