Background and Aims: Little is known about individual perspectives and challenges faced by elite-level athletes living with type 1 diabetes and where they turn to for advice. Currently, there is no validated tool to assess this. We aimed to generate and pilot test the Diabetes ExErcise Perception (DEEP-1) questionnaire in a group of professional endurance athletes with type 1 diabetes to investigate perceived attitudes and challenges.

Methods: The online questionnaire consists of a range of open and closed questions, focusing on 4 key areas related to diabetes management and exercise: 1) Technology; 2) Sleep and Recovery; 3) Glucose Management; and 4) Nutrition. Sixteen professional cyclists with type 1 diabetes (age 27 ± 4 years; HbA1c 6.8 ± 0.5%) were asked to anonymously complete the questionnaire using SurveyMonkey.com. Data were then analyzed descriptively.

Results: Fifteen participants responded. In this cohort, 90% showed an interest in using technology for improved exercise performance and 89% for glucose management, although 28% felt unaware of newer technologies. Glucose was perceived as being generally well regulated; however, according to the responses, more attention needs to be focused overnight and pre/during exercise. Sleep quality was rated as an important factor affecting exercise performance by 80% of respondents. 93% of participants identified nutrition as an area for improved performance, with 25% reporting a lack of education in this area.

Conclusions: This pilot study highlights the importance of an individualized approach to diabetes management and high-level exercise performance. Future work should validate the DEEP-1 questionnaire in a larger sample size using individuals with a range of physical activity levels. Such a tool may provide a useful and time-efficient means for health care professionals to gain deeper insight into their patients’ attitudes and challenges regarding exercise.

Disclosure

S.N. Scott: None. F.Y. Fontana: None. C.A. Hayes: Other Relationship; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. P.H. Lagrou: None. T. Zueger: None. P. Southerland: None. C. Stettler: None.

© 2020 by the American Diabetes Association
2020
Readers may use this article as long as the work is properly cited, the use is educational and not for profit, and the work is not altered. More information is available at http://www.diabetesjournals.org/content/license.