Diabetes in

Athletes

Erin Miller
Diabetes Mellitus
What is it?

➔ Chronic hyperglycemia resulting from the body’s inability to secrete or utilize

insulin

How can it affect one’s body?

➔ If not controlled, it can lead to damage, dysfunction and failure of the eyes,
kidneys, nerves, heart and blood vessels
Signs & Symptoms
➔ Polydipsia (excessive thirst)
➔ Weight loss
➔ Increase in appetite
➔ Fatigue
➔ Polyuria
 ➔ Completely dependant on insulin
➔ Usually occurs in youth and
young adults
Type I ➔ More commonly affects the
athletic population than type II
 ➔ Insulin resistant or inadequate
insulin release

Type II
➔ Can be controlled without insulin
◆ Diet
◆ Exercise
Diabetes in Athletes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2kNd5TSZG4
Diabetes in Athletes
➔ Diabetes is not a career ending or impeding condition

➔ Must check glucose levels before, during and after exercise

➔ Must eat the proper snacks or meals before exercise

➔ Must hydrate before exercise, especially in the heat

◆ Impaired sweating
Role of Athletic Trainers
➔ Recognizing the signs of hypoglycemia ➔ Treatment
◆ Dizziness ◆ Ingest sugar that is quickly
◆ Shakiness absorbed
◆ Irritability ● Soda (none diet)
◆ Heachache ● Fruit juice
◆ Clumsiness ● Hard candy
◆ Slurred speech ● Glucose gel
◆ Blurry vision ◆ Monitor glucose levels
◆ Confusion ◆ Have emergency glucose
◆ Unconsciousness monitor
◆ Communication
References
Association AD. Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes Mellitus . Diabetes Care.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2797383/. Published January 2010. Accessed February 14, 2018.

Jimenez CC, Corcoran MH, Crawley JT, et al. National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Management of the
Athlete With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Journal of Athletic Training . December 2007.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2140081/. Accessed February 14, 2018.

Yardley JE, Colburg SR. Update on Management of Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes ... : Current Sports Medicine Reports.
LWW.
https://journals.lww.com/acsm-csmr/Fulltext/2017/01000/Update_on_Management_of_Type_1_Diabetes_and_Type_2.13.as
px. Published 2017. Accessed February 14, 2018.