Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body is no longer able to produce the hormone insulin. This results in elevated blood glucose levels, as glucose cannot be effectively transported from the bloodstream into the cells due to the lack of insulin. Consequently, the body cannot utilise carbohydrates from food. Without treatment, the condition can be fatal. Alongside insulin administration, physical activity and exercise are a cornerstone of type 1 diabetes therapy.
In recent years, the availability of automated insulin delivery (AID) systems has expanded the options for individuals with type 1 diabetes to achieve recommended glucose target ranges. However, as Prof. Dr. Othmar Moser from the Chair of Exercise Physiology & Metabolism at the University of Bayreuth explains, physical activity can pose challenges: "A physically active lifestyle offers clear health benefits but can also cause glucose fluctuations, which present a challenge for current AID systems." Prof. Moser has been researching the intersection of exercise and diabetes for over a decade and is also part of the specialised outpatient clinic for diabetes, physical activity, and sport at the University Hospital for Internal Medicine in Graz.
Together with 25 other diabetes experts, he has authored a guideline summarising the latest insights into AID systems. This guideline also provides detailed, practical recommendations for managing physical activity in children, adolescents, and adults with type 1 diabetes using AID technology.
The guideline reviews each available AID system individually and offers tailored recommendations for their use during physical activity. It also addresses the varying blood glucose responses to exercise and introduces tiered therapeutic options to maintain glucose levels within target ranges across different age groups.
This international guideline is aimed at both healthcare providers and individuals with type 1 diabetes. "The goal is to enable people with type 1 diabetes to engage in physical activity without being exposed to the risk of glycaemic fluctuations. This can also help reduce the long-term risk of secondary illnesses and ease the burden on social healthcare systems," says Moser.
