Abstract - The management of
type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is based on three pillars
insulin therapy, nutrition, and regular practice of
physical activity.
Physical exercises are associated with metabolic demands that depend on the individual's energy stores and level of physical conditioning, and vary according to environmental conditions and intensity, duration, and type of
exercise. All these factors, added to eventual distress with competitions, exert influence on
glucose metabolism. The
athletic career of diabetic individuals is often hindered by a
risk of
hypoglycemia during and after the
exercise, frequent
hyperglycemia before, during, and after certain
physical activities, occurrence of
ketoacidosis, and presence of chronic microvascular and macrovascular
complications.
Aerobic exercises reduce the levels of
blood glucose while anaerobic
exercise may promote
transient hyperglycemia. Although diabetic individuals may achieve excellence in
sport, their
physical performance should be maximized by strict
blood glucose control, adequate modifications in
insulin dose on the day of the
exercise, and appropriate
nutritional intake. This
review discusses the impact of
physical exercise on
glucose metabolism, as well as nutritional considerations and
strategies appropriate to the practice of
physical exercises by
patients with T1DM.