The Science behind exercise and type 1

Hi Pink

Insulin and exercise have many diverse effects on the body, mainly down to the type of exercise done.

For instance: Type 1 diabetic me.

Weights and strength exercise raise my sugar levels through the roof, ie 4-5 hours of training, sugar level before training 8/9 after 22-23. When running or stamina training sugar level 12-14 before - after 30-40 mins of running sugar level is 5 or 6, sometimes i have to raise the levels whilst running.

But we are all different, mine has changed as I have got older, the risk is of course is to increase insulin before exercise to drop the raised level whilst training and then suffer a big low after as the insulin has not been used up and your own body is feeding of the energy from the sugar left in the body.

As far as I am aware there is no hard and fast rule as to an ideal sugar level before training, as exercise/duration/intensity will all have an effect on it, so its a suck it an see approach, unless others have any other thoughts on this, i'd be glad to hear.

I am having to look at longer lasting carbs that don't hit the system so hard but have a slow release of energy, but I have found that muesli and porridge send my sugar levels through the roof then crash after, so breads potatoes, rice etc work better for me, but hard to loose weight on these foods for me. My system kinda works for me but I feel raising insulin level whilst training can have an adverse effect.

i have had type 1 for 25 years and have been training for 27 years and not got it perfect as yet LoL.

ATB & keep training!

I pretty much agree with kash2001.
For me it really depends on I have eaten and the type of exercise I will do & for how long.

Road cycling is my thing.
I ride about 20miles each way to & from work (not every day) & do the odd long distance rides up to 100miles.
I have to plan ahead to do this stuff.
Cycling is generally an aerobic /endurance exercise but has some anaerobic bits included just to make it hurt.
I usually need to have a blood glucose around 11 to 13 to do 1 hour moderate to hard riding without taking on any more 'fuel'. My blood glucose will then be 2.5 to 4.

I would NEVER take insulin before a long ride (15+miles).

I guess Im lucky in that I seem to following most cyclists & should take on 20carbs every 30mins to keep going. (gel packs, drinks, banana etc) & feed while riding
This is the same as my mates who are not diabetic. If they dont take on carbs, after a couple of hours they stop & show exactly the same signs of a hypo! :roll:

Im sure some 'experts' have done studies on this and come up with a formula of fuel & how you burn it, plus your physique & bmi.

Been type 1 for 42 years & still learning
I found very little help that actually worked from doctors, diabetic specialists etc. :shock:
I got a lot more help from cycling clubs, magazines & trial and error taking things in small steps.

Good luck & don't give up.
mikethebike

In general it is best not to do strenous exercise if your blood sugar is say over 13. The extra stress raises cortisol makes you more insulin resistant and your sugar climbs.

Perhaps the best thing could be to correct with insulin, go for a gentle stroll and be prepared to eat something if you have overcorrected.

Because the insulin resistance of the dawn phenomenon is so potent, some people can't exercise in the mornings but can exercise fine at other times of the day.

As ever, self experimentation is necessary.