Type 1 Diabetes (Hyper/Hypoglycaemia)

Question 1

Should you exercise if: <2.9 mmol/L

Answer 1

• NO! Treat hypo first by eating 15 grams of fast acting carbs
• Re-test after 15 mins.

Question 2

Should you exercise if: 2.9 - 3.9 mmol/L

Answer 2

• Treat Hypo first by eating 15g of fast acting carbs
• Do not exercise alone or type of exercise is potentially unsafe
• Re-test after 15 mins
• Okay to exercise (low to moderate intensity) when glucose is >= 5 mmol/L. Follow after with slow acting carbs and monitor every 15 mins during exercise

Question 3

Should you exercise if: 4 - 4.9 mmol/L

Answer 3

• Eat 15g of fast acting carbs
• Re-test after 15 mins
• Okay to exercise (low to moderate intensity) when glucose is >= 5 mmol/L. Follow after with slow acting carbs and monitor every 15 mins during exercise

Question 4

Should you exercise if: 5 - 6.9 mmol/L

Answer 4

• Okay for resistance and high intensity exercise to be started.

BUT:

• Eat 15g of fast acting carbs before starting aerobic exercise
• Okay to exercise. If exercise >30 mins, additional carbs are needed and monitored during exercise
• If bolus insulin reduced prior to exercise and glucose <5 mmol during exercise eat 15g of fast acting carbs

Question 5

Should you exercise if: 7 - 10 mmol/L

Answer 5

• Ok for aerobic exercise (AE) to be started
• If AE >30 mins, additional carbs needed. Monitor glucose during exercise.
• If bolus insulin unchanged, may require 15-30g of carbs during exercise
• Ok for resistance and high intensity exercise to be started
• Monitor for potential increase glucose

Question 6

Should you exercise if: 10.1 - 15 mmol/L

Answer 6

• Okay for aerobic exercise to be started.
• Okay for resistance and high intensity exercise to be started
• Monitor more closely for glucose increase

Question 7

Should you exercise if: >15 mmol/L

Answer 7

Is this due to food?

• If yes: Okay to exercise at low intensity with caution provided and usual medication taken. Monitor glucose and increase fluids.
• If no: If it’s possible to measure ketones, DO NOT exercise if ketones >1.5mmol (>) Seek advice from a diabetes healthcare professional.
• If no: If you can’t measure ketones, take reduced corrective insulin dose and wait 30 mins for a response. If glucose decrease and feeling well (>) okay to exercise at a low intensity with caution for a brief duration (<30 mins) with frequent glucose monitoring. (>) If glucose does not decrease, DO NOT start exercising.