Sport is important for diabetes patients

Today, it is no problem for diabetes patients to play sport. Sport has a positive effect on major risk factors such as weight or cardiovascular diseases.

However, diabetes patients must be aware of the effect sport has on their blood glucose so they know how much insulin should be administered. Every form of physical activity counts, not just traditional sports. Therefore, a hard day's work, DIY, or spring cleaning also have an effect on blood glucose levels and the insulin required. This is a particularly important consideration for children with diabetes as they run around all day and are generally more active overall than adults. Endurance sports that require a moderate level of effort are ideal, because high-impact sports release stress hormones. In turn, this causes an increase in blood glucose resistance and in the blood glucose levels of diabetes patients.

Dietary requirements after exercise

Sport increases the body's need for energy and the insulin sensitivity of insulin-dependent organs (e.g. the muscles). After sport, diabetes patients therefore need to eat enough carbohydrates to replenish their reserves.

Due to the energy expended, however, it is important that people with diabetes who wish to play sport measure and record their blood glucose levels regularly. Physical activity carries on after you have stopped exercising, so the insulin requirement is lower for 17-24 hours afterwards: around half for the first few hours, and around 20 per cent later on.