American Diabetes Association
Browse

Are Regular Aerobic Exercisers With Type 1 Diabetes Following Current Physical Activity Self-Management Guidelines? Insights From an Online Survey

figure
posted on 2025-01-30, 16:11 authored by Joseph Henske, Arwa Albashaireh, Lauren V. Turner, Gavin Beach, Michael C. Riddell

This study surveyed 102 adults with type 1 diabetes who were a part of online communities for regular exercisers with type 1 diabetes. These individuals, who met or exceeded aerobic exercise guidelines, were evaluated via self-report for their adherence to recommended glucose management strategies before, during, and after physical activity. Although most reported using diabetes-related technologies, 86% of respondents reported having frequent activity-related hypoglycemia. Eighty percent reported using trial-and-error strategies, and only 32% identified their health care professionals as a key source of exercise self-management education. Few followed consensus-based guidelines such as reducing insulin doses before exercise and refraining from exercising within 24 hours after a severe hypoglycemic event. [box] Key Points · Within this active cohort, there was a high prevalence of hypoglycemia, with 49% of participants indicating no hypoglycemia symptoms unless blood glucose was <60 mg/dL (<3.3 mmol/L). Eighty-six percent of respondents experienced exercise-induced hypoglycemia, with 18% having severe hypoglycemic events during exercise and 41% having overnight hypoglycemia. · Before exercise, only 27% of pump users reported adjusting basal insulin in the 60–90 minutes before exercise, and 51% reduced their pre-exercise meal bolus. Forty-two percent engaged their pump’s exercise mode during exercise. · Ten percent of participants experienced diabetic ketoacidosis after exercise, and only 27% restricted exercise in the 24 hours after having a severe hypoglycemic event, highlighting a potential lack of understanding of exercise guidelines. · Only 32% of respondents identified their medical team as a key source of information, whereas up to 80% reported relying on trial and error, social media groups, Google searches, and YouTube videos, underscoring the importance of developing online education resources for this population.

Funding

None

History

Usage metrics

    Clinical Diabetes

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC