A career in professional sports is now possible with type 1 diabetes. Several participants showed this at the Winter Olympics in Italy, which ended on Sunday. Ski cross athlete Hannah Schmidt (Canada) and skeleton pilot Anna Fernstädtova (Czech Republic) live with the chronic metabolic disease.
Worry about low or high sugar levels
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“It is important to always keep an eye on glucose metabolism (blood sugar; note) and the function of medical technology in cold weather,” says Graz expert Othmar Moser, head of the sports physiology, training science and training therapy research group at the Institute for Movement Sciences at the University of Graz. Olympians train at the highest level and are constantly professionally looked after. But winter sports don’t have to be an obstacle for adult beginners or children with type 1 diabetes. Many people avoid exercise because they are worried about low or high blood sugar levels.
Positive influence of sport
Data from more than 420,000 training sessions from 3,248 people with type 1 diabetes show how positive impact physical activity can have on glucose levels when well planned, says Moser: “People with type 1 diabetes can enjoy winter sports and the social gatherings afterwards just as much as everyone else. What is crucial is that they understand their glucose levels, use insulin and carbohydrates consciously and use sensors, (insulin) pumps or Keep a reliable eye on the ‘smart’ insulin pen.
Physical activity and sport can lower glucose levels – especially during longer, more consistent exercise. However, high-intensity or stressful situations can also increase it. Anyone who is on the slopes should therefore regularly check their blood sugar levels, pay attention to their progress and have quick-acting carbohydrates in the form of small snacks to hand, emphasized the expert.
Dextrose ready to hand
“Insulin pumps” can support winter sports. Sensor readings should be carefully monitored during activity. If the value is below 126 milligrams per deciliter, Moser recommends consuming fast-acting carbohydrates: “Glucose works perfectly, especially in cold conditions.”
At the same time, too many carbohydrates can trigger a rise in blood sugar and subsequently lead to increased insulin release. “An AID system is a great training partner, but not an autopilot. Anyone planning exercise should react in good time, prepare the system and also keep an eye on delayed effects after training,” explains Moser.
Wear diabetes monitoring on your body in cold weather
Incidentally, all devices required for diabetes monitoring should be worn on the body. Body heat protects batteries and sensors from extreme cold, as batteries lose performance much more quickly at low temperatures. It can also make sense to keep spare batteries warm and only expose devices to the cold for a short time.
For many adults, a visit to a ski hut is a must after a day on the slopes. “Alcohol is not generally taboo for people with diabetes, but it should be consumed in moderation,” said the expert. Experts recommend no more than ten grams of alcohol per day for women and no more than 20 grams for men.
