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Managing Glucose During Sports & Exercise

Instructor:

Instructor:

Gary Scheiner MS, CDCES

Since glucose control influences athletic performance, it is necessary to have effective strategies for managing blood sugar during all forms of exercise: from general daily activity to heavy competition.  This program provides specific insight for those looking to avoid the highs and lows associated with various types of physical activity. 

Specific topics include:

  • How glucose levels affect physical performance
  • Basic science behind energy metabolism
  • Strategies for preventing hypoglycemia during & after exercise
  • Avoiding adrenaline-induced glucose rises 
  • Managing glucose during endurance activities
  • Overcoming logistical obstacles of pumping and CGM use during sports

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Placement Exam: Managing Glucose During Sports & Exercise

1. The predominant fuel burned during the first 10-15 minutes of exercise is:

A. Fat from fat stores

B. Glucose from muscle and liver stores

C. Protein from muscle stores

D. Dietary carbohydrates

2. Delayed-onset hypoglycemia is most likely to occur after:

A.  30 Minutes of lifting weights

B.  30 Minutes of cycling at a moderate pace

C.  3 Hours of intense yardwork

D.  Any type of exercise performed in the evening

3. For cardio exercise that takes place before a meal, the best way to prevent hypoglycemia is to:

A.  Reduce the bolus at the previous meal.

B.  Reduce the basal insulin that is working during the activity.

C. Have a rapid-acting carb snack prior to the activity.

D. Do nothing special, since there is no bolus insulin working.

Close

4. Which of the following is most likely to cause blood sugar to drop?

A.  A highly competitive game of doubles tennis.

B.  A fast 1-mile run.

C.  Gentle stretching exercises.

D.  Cleaning the house for an hour.

5. You are about to exercise, but your blood sugar is 320 mg/dl (18 mmol/l).  You should:

A. Hydrate and go ahead and exercise, as long as no ketones are present.

B. Postpone exercising until your blood sugar has come down.

C. Take your usual correction dose of insulin and go ahead and exercise.

D. Exercise at a higher intensity than usual so that your blood sugar will come down faster.

Answers: B, C, C, D, A

  • Answered 4 or 5 correctly?  Nice job, Professor!  Looks like you know your stuff.  Maybe you could teach a course on this subject! But there are always new things to learn.
  • Answered 3 or fewer correctly?  You may have a thing or two to learn.  You would certainly benefit from taking this class. 
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