Mixing Sports and Diabetes

Dan Steiner, M.Ed., CDE

ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist

Are any sports/exercises off limits for athletes with

diabetes ?

No Way!!!!!!

Just have to figure it out

What’s Awesome About Sports?

↑ self-esteem ↓ stress↑ muscle/bone strength ↓ fat storage ↑ coordination ↓blood pressure↑ circulation ↓ anxiety↑ immune system ↓ LDL cholesterol↑ height(perceived)

It’s Fun!!!!

Sports’ effects on Diabetes Stuff

• Decreases Blood Glucose

• Increases Blood Glucose

• Hydration needs

• Requires a plan—more variables

• Teach the coach/friends about the stuff

• Wear or not wear pump

Lowers BG

• Lower to moderately intense exercise

• Duration has an effect

• Depends on timing of insulin

*Before bolus/correction--if within 2hrs of sport ↓ 50%

*↓ basal 1 hour before and during exercise to 50%

• Delayed BG lowering up to 24hrs*decrease overnight basal by 10 – 20%?

*decrease Monday Morning basal

*Higher Intensity and longer duration ↑ effect

Lowers BG(cont.)• Need to Check more

– 1-2 hours before—see where its going– Just before– During(if needed every 30 minutes)– After– Few hours later…

• Source of Carbs/Protein and Fat– Carbs for lows or to prevent lows-before/during/after– .5 - 1gm/minute of exercise– Increase protein, fat and maybe carbs in evening to

prevent nighttime lows

Raises BG

• High intensity exercise-

– Intervals of hard effort/burts

– Strength Training—depends on workout/person

– Sustained intensity

• Competition/Adrenalin

• Not enough insulin onboard

• Dawn Phenomenon

Sport Specific Examples

What are possible BG issues

What supplies need to be transported

What might I need to do before/during/after

WHY NOT DO THEM ALL!!!

Soccer Football Gymnastics Track and Field Wrestling Dance Cycling VolleyballRunning Rugby Basketball Equestrian Cricket Swimming Badminton LacrosseMotor Sports Golf Archery TriathlonTennis Softball Baseball SkateboardingSkiing Rock Climbing Boxing FencingUltimate Frisbee Curling Surfing