Background and Aims: Exercise uptake is low in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D), with hypoglycaemia fear cited as the main barrier. We establish factors that predict hypoglycaemia after exercise.

Materials and Methods: People with T1D exercising regularly (minimum 150min/week) recorded the type, timing and duration of exercise, and heart rate, for 80 days using a smartwatch. Participants used Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring throughout. Predictors of hypoglycaemia were analysed.

Results: 24 (8 men), mean (SD) age 35 (11) years, duration of diabetes 14 (7) years, BMI 26 (4.7) kg/m2 and HbA1c of 58 (12) mmol/mol recorded 1454 activities with complete CGM. During the 24 hours after exercise, increasing age and baseline HbA1c increased the risk of experiencing hypoglycaemia <70mg/dL (Age OR 1.028 (95% CI 1.019 - 1.038); HbA1c OR 1.027 (95% CI 1.016 - 1.037)), with similar results at other thresholds. Every additional minute of activity increased exposure to hypoglycaemia <70mg/dL (OR 1.007 (95% CI 1.004-1.010)), 54mg/dL (OR 1.011 (95% CI 1.008-1.014)) and 50mg/dL (OR 1.010 (1.007-1.014)). Exercising in the afternoon reduced the risk of hypoglycaemia at all thresholds (70mg/dL OR 0.766 (95% CI 0.602-0.975), 54mg/dL OR 0.575 (95% CI 0.403-0.820) 50mg/dL OR 0.503 (95% CI 0.330-0.766)) compared to the morning. Females had a reduced risk of hypoglycaemia <70mg/dL compared to males (OR 0.696 (95% CI 0.556-0.871)). Running (OR 2.898 (95% CI 1.958-4.290) and cycling (OR 2.989 (95%CI 2.154 - 4.148)) increased exposure to hypoglycaemia <70mg/dL compared to walking. In multivariate analysis, age (p=0.002), baseline HbA1c (p=0.004), sex (p<0.001), activity type (p<0.001), duration (p=0.009) and timing of exercise (p=0.004) were significant predictors of hypoglycaemia in the 24 hours after exercise.

Conclusion: To empower adults with T1D to avoid hypoglycaemia after exercise, education and support should focus on the timing, duration, and activity type, alongside support to optimise HbA1c.

Disclosure

S.K.Rilstone: None. N.Oliver: Advisory Panel; Dexcom, Inc., Medtronic, Roche Diabetes Care, Research Support; Dexcom, Inc., Medtronic. I.F.Godsland: None. N.E.Hill: Research Support; Dexcom, Inc.

© 2023 by the American Diabetes Association
2023
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