Guidelines for diabetic athletes

Athletes with diabetes need to have an organised plan to manage blood-sugar highs and lows. The recommendations, from the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), focus on athletes with type 1 diabetes (the form of diabetes that usually arises in childhood or by young adulthood and requires insulin therapy). While regular exercise is recommended for people with diabetes, the intensity of competitive sports can cause sudden, large shifts in blood sugar levels. However, a well-organised plan can help athletes to keep their blood sugar in check during practice and competitions. According to the guidelines:

• Athletes should check their blood sugar levels before, during and after exercise. They may need to eat carbohydrates right before or during practice or competition, depending on their sugar levels. All diabetic athletes should eat after exercising to make sure sugar levels don't drop too much.
• Athletes are advised to talk with their doctors about their insulin doses, which may need to be reduced on days when they are working out or competing. Intense exercise can also trigger a sudden, dangerous increase in blood sugar in certain cases, however. To prevent this, athletes should be cautious about exercising when their blood sugar is high to begin with.
• Athletes with diabetes should also give a list of all medications they take to the team trainer, as well as all the medical supplies necessary to treat a diabetes-related emergency. The guidelines also recommend that athletes carry a medic alert tag with them at all times.
• Guidelines for low blood glucose (hypoglycaemia) recognition and treatment include prevention, signs, symptoms and treatment of hypoglycaemia. 
• Guidelines for high blood glucose (hyperglycaemia) recognition and treatment include prevention, signs, symptoms and treatment of hyperglycaemia and diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition where insufficient levels of insulin lead to hyperglycaemia and the buildup of ketones (by-products of fat metabolism which can reach toxic levels) in the blood.

Athletes with diabetes can benefit from a well-organised plan that may allow them to compete on equal ground with their team mates and competitors without diabetes.