Sport and Diabetes

The key issue for athletes with diabetes today is not whether they can involve in sport, but whether they have the necessary talent. Their endurance and performance might be able to compete with others if the diabetes is under controlled. The basic rule of diabetes management are diet, exercise and correct medication (if this is necessary).

People with diabetes are recommended to take low glycemic index food. For athletes, they are advised to take high glycemic index food to speed up recovery; foods that are high in carbohydrate and fiber, and low in fat. This is a matter of the dietary management. Most of the athletes with diabetes fall into the "insulin dependant" category. Your main aim is to keep a stable blood glucose level (BGL). Your blood glucose level should not be too low leading you into hypoglycemia condition (can be serious and require urgent action); or has become too high (hyperglycemia). To achieve this, you need to balance the energy you expend, the energy you intake and your insulin dosage. May be you should consider to engage with a sports dietician to tailor a meal program for you.

You should not continue to exercise vigorously or attending an intensive training session if you have just been diagnosed as having diabetes. You should have your blood glucose level properly controlled first because exercise can cause fluctuation in your blood glucose level. Even if your blood glucose level is under controlled, exercise can swing your blood glucose level too; depending on the type and timing of your insulin injections and the gap of your food intake to the times when you have sports.

There is no shortcut and simple answer to the question how much and when to load carbohydrate into your body because individuals vary. The only solution is to monitor your BGL. In order for you to keep your peak performance without impacting your diabetes, your blood glucose level should be monitored before, during and after exercise; and then adjust accordingly your food intake, insulin dosage, and the timing you eat and have your injections.

Some tips to manage your diabetes condition if your are actively involve in sports :

• Where possible, check your blood glucose level before your exercise, you may want to take another test after the exercise or even during the event if it is prolonged. This will help you to get to know the effect of exercise to your BGL. The trend varies from one individual to another. If you find your BGL is too low (If it is tested to be 120mg/dL or lower), then take some carbohydrate snacks before you start or continue exercising.
• Ideally train at 1- 1½ hours after a meal. This is the time when your blood glucose level is slightly higher than fasting level but not too high. If it is 300mg/dL or higher, wait until it is below 300 to begin your exercise.
• Stretch for 15 minutes before you start, holding each stretch for at least 30 seconds to get lasting effect.
• For short duration activities, you need to intake carbohydrate before and/or after the event. Whereas for long duration activities, you need to eat extra carbohydrate during the event as well as before and after.
• Get ready some carbohydrate food with you, for instance barley sugar, bread, biscuits, cereal, chips or banana. Sometimes snacks are not provided by the event organizer.
• Exercise with someone who knows you have diabetes so that he knows what to do if you have low BGL reaction. Carry an identification card or medical ID tag that states you have diabetes.
• You may need to modify your insulin or oral medication program and food intake to match your exercise program with the supervision of your doctor.
• When your exercise session is over, quench your thirst with a non-alcoholic drink. Alcohol may lower your BGL further and also has a dehydrating effect.
• When you are ill, it is advisable you avoid all but the mildest activities.