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Exercise with pump

Topher

Well-Known Member
Messages
202
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
HI, I am just starting on the Animas Vibe pump, and just wondering how people use it when exercising. Usually when on MDI's i calculate the carbs, take 30g away for the run I will do and bolus for the remainder - Do I do the same on the pump ? - any help would be nice - thanks
 
I reduce my basal rates to 50% 2 hours before exercise which normally does the trick, If I still had a lot of active insulin on board from a previous meal then I would have a small snack with no bolus. I think it's a trial and error thing, you'll find out whats right for you
 

Do you tend to keep the pump on during exercise?
 
Is there a particular reason why you do that?

I'm on MDI's but I find my sugars take a slight dip during training but spike afterwards. It's had me wondering whether I'd be using the pump (when I will shortly get it fingers crossed) during training.
 
I was taught that if you are consistently going hypo at, say, 3pm then you have to adjust basal rates 2 hours before then to cover that time therefore reducing basal rates 2 hours before exercise will reduce the risk of hypo during. If you took your pump off during exercise you would be getting no insulin for the duration (no long acting insulin on board like on MDI) and then you would spike considerably higher post exercise. Have a look at this website, it's quite informative http://www.teambloodglucose.com/
 
Ah OK. So you're doing it to prevent an aggressive post-training spike rather than trying to keep sugar levels balanced during training. I'm with you.

This is one of the benefits of the pump which I am immensely looking forward to.

Yes, a member of the TeamBG and Type 1's FB groups. Very informative indeed
 
I go with 30% TBR 3 hours prior for a short run or ride and take the pump off during (1 hour or so).

For long rides or runs (normally in the morning) I reduce pre-ride bolus as well, and make sure I eat in the first half hour as I tend to suffer a large initial drop.

For weights and yoga I don't make any change to basal. Weights usually casues a spike but I don't corect as it usually drops back itself
 

I don't find that at all for endurance exercise, it always reduces BG even with the pumo removed for runs of 10-12k or less. No post exercise spikes either.

REmember when exercising insulin sensitivity increases, adn the GLU4 transportation mechansm kicks in, hence the need for the TBR int he first place, and the sensitivitiy lasts after the exercise as well.

From a particualrly long race, I've needed to reduce basal and boluses the next morning when on MDI
 
The spikes I experience with intense exercise only, which is pretty much most of the exercising I do (unless it's pilates or yoga which give me a drop in BG during exercise). I measure intensity relative to lactate/anaerobic threshold using a heart rate monitor. I determined my threshold from a 20min MMP test on a Wattbike (as opposed to the 80% of max heart rate rule which gives me quite a different result).

I will have to see what my clinic suggests to start with, but I like the idea of having some basal on board during training to minimise the effect of the spike (usually 30-40min post training).
 
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