DIABETES IN CHILDREN: EXERCISE

Exercise helps control diabetes

Energetic activities play an important part in the healthy life of the child with diabetes. Activity increases the use of glucose formed from food, and helps insulin in maintaining a correct balance of sugar in the blood.

Exercise also helps insulin work properly by increasing its efficiency. It may also help in the absorption of insulin, particularly if the physical activity involves the part of the body where the injection had been given that morning.

Plenty of exercise is good

Your child should be encouraged in outdoor play, and in joining in sport and games with other children. With regular activity, insulin dosage will be kept lower and good control will be easier. It is important, of course, that exercise should be as regular as possible. Some children are naturally active, and this is no problem. Others prefer to watch television and sit around in their spare time, and if your child is like this he should be encouraged to spend some time each day in outdoor activity. Walking, cycling and skipping are good forms of exercise. Swimming is excellent, and although you will want to arrange that he is with someone responsible when swimming, you should certainly allow him this recreation. Do not restrict school sports, such as ball games, athletics, swimming or P.E. Encourage sports that can be continued through adult life.

Take extra carbohydrate before strenuous activity

Very strenuous sports, or unusual activities (such as a sports day or football match) will use up unusually large amounts of glucose for energy. You will need to give extra carbohydrate.

The type of carbohydrate used will depend on the type of activity.

For strenuous activities of short duration

For strenuous activities such as swimming, sprinting – some form of sugar which is absorbed rapidly should be taken just before the activity. For example, fruit juice, barley sugar or soft drink. Extra amounts may be taken during the activity – e.g. at half time at football.

For activities of longer duration

For longer activity, e.g. hiking, long distance running or jogging, additional complex carbohydrate or a combination of simple and complex carbohydrate which will be absorbed and enter the blood stream at a slower rate is more suitable.

The amount of carbohydrate required will vary not only with the type and duration of the activity but also between individuals: some young people seem to need a lot of extra sugar, and some hardly any at all. Your child will soon work out what is best by experience and discussion with you and your doctor. Follow these rules until you have this experience.

As a general rule allow approximately 1 carbohydrate exchange per hour of activity.

All children with diabetes should have an extra exchange of sugar in some form before swimming. Make sure that such people as the sports teacher and swimming instructor know your child has diabetes, and know what to do if a hypo should occur.

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