Children with Type 1 diabetes face unique challenges when it comes to sports and physical activity.
Managing blood sugar levels, ensuring proper hydration, and having a reliable source of glucose on hand are all important considerations to have when playing sports.
Regardless of these challenges, children with Type 1 diabetes should engage in regular physical activity for physical and mental well-being.
This article explores the best sports for children with Type 1 diabetes, including the benefits, considerations, and tips for safe participation. From traditional team sports to individual activities, we will look at the options available to keep children active, healthy, and engaged.
Which Sports Can Your Child with Diabetes Play?
When it comes to sports, children with Type 1 diabetes have a variety of options to choose from. It’s important to note that there are virtually no sports that someone with Type 1 diabetes cannot play. The key is to find a sport or activity that is safe, enjoyable, and appropriate for your child’s physical and health condition.
Here is a list of the best sports for children with Type 1 diabetes that you can consider:
- Swimming: This is an excellent option for children with diabetes. It has a low impact on joints and promotes cardiovascular fitness and endurance. There are a few waterproof insulin pumps that are great for swimmers.
- Tennis: This sport is ideal for children with diabetes because it requires hand-eye coordination, agility, and cardiovascular fitness. It allows for enough breaks to monitor blood sugar levels before and after games.
- Running/Track: Running is a great way to promote cardiovascular fitness and endurance, and it’s perfect for children who enjoy the outdoors. But, monitoring blood sugar levels before and after runs is important.
- Basketball: This is a great sport because it promotes cardiovascular fitness, teamwork, and coordination. Like tennis, it also allows for breaks in between games so your child can monitor blood sugar levels.
- Soccer: This sport is ideal for children because it promotes cardiovascular fitness, endurance, and teamwork. Much like basketball and tennis, it provides an opportunity to monitor blood sugar levels during games and practice.
- Yoga: Yoga is a gentle and low-impact form of exercise that promotes strength, flexibility, and relaxation. It’s great for children with diabetes as it helps to control stress and subsequently many help improve blood sugar levels.
- Dance: Dancing is a fun way to keep fit and promote cardiovascular fitness, coordination, and flexibility.
- Gymnastics: This sport promotes cardiovascular fitness, coordination, and strength. It also allows for enough breaks to measure blood sugar levels.
- Baseball/Softball: This sport is ideal because it promotes cardiovascular fitness, teamwork, and hand-eye coordination.
- Skateboarding: Skateboarding is a great sport for children because it promotes cardiovascular fitness, balance, and coordination. And your child can pause at any time and check blood sugar levels or have a snack if needed.
Are There Any Sports Your Child Should Avoid?
While children with Type 1 diabetes can safely participate in a lot of different sports and activities, some sports may be more difficult for them. Some examples of these sports are:
- Extreme sports: Sports such as rock climbing and motocross that involve a higher risk of injury may not be ideal for children with diabetes. This is because they are less likely to be able to control blood sugar levels and they may be at a higher risk of complications if they’re injured.
- Sports that involve prolonged periods of high-intensity activity: Sports such as long-distance running or cycling may be problematic for children with diabetes. This is because high-intensity exercise can cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate, leading to difficulties with diabetes management.
- Sports that require high levels of coordination or concentration: Sports such as diving and figure skating may be problematic because they need high levels of coordination and concentration. Children with diabetes may have difficulty maintaining focus and coordination due to fluctuations in blood sugar levels. This can put them at a higher risk of injury.
That being said, it’s important to remember that children with Type 1 diabetes can safely play any sport they want as long as they take the necessary precautions.
To stay safe while playing sports, it’s important to communicate with your child’s healthcare provider, coaches, and team members. It’s also important to monitor blood sugar levels before, during, and after physical activity, and have a reliable source of glucose on hand. With the right knowledge, tools, and support, children with Type 1 diabetes can safely enjoy any sport they choose.
Best Time for Children with Diabetes To Play Sports
When it comes to children with Type 1 diabetes, timing is everything. Knowing the best time for your child to play sports can help ensure their safety and prevent complications during and after exercise.
One of the most important things to remember is that children with diabetes should avoid exercise when their blood sugar levels are too low.
For most children with diabetes, the best time to exercise is mid-morning or mid-afternoon. This will allow them to have a meal and check their blood sugar levels before and after exercise.
It’s also important to consider the timing of insulin injections. Children should not exercise immediately after taking insulin, as this can cause hypoglycemia. It is best to wait at least 30 minutes to 1 hour after taking insulin before engaging in physical activity.
Lastly, it’s important to note that late afternoon or evening exercise may lead to hypoglycemia during the night. So, children with diabetes should avoid exercise in the late afternoon or evening or should be prepared to check their blood sugar levels frequently throughout the night.
Can Children with Diabetes Play Sports With an Insulin Pump?
Yes, children with diabetes can play sports with insulin pumps. Playing sports with an insulin pump can be beneficial as it allows them to be more active without the need to stop and inject insulin.
Insulin pumps also provide more flexibility when it comes to meal times and insulin dosage. This can be especially helpful when participating in sports and other physical activities.
When it comes to swimming, children who use insulin pumps can continue to wear their pumps in the water. Many modern insulin pumps are waterproof and can be worn during swimming without any issues.
They should also be sure to have a reliable source of glucose on hand in case of a low blood sugar episode. With the right planning and precautions, children with diabetes can safely enjoy sports while using an insulin pump.
If You Wish, Track The Effect Each Type of Exercise Has on Your Child
Sports can be an excellent way for children with type 1 diabetes to stay healthy and active. From tennis to swimming, they can enjoy several different sports while living with diabetes.
The key is finding the right balance between exercise, nutrition, and insulin levels so that their bodies remain properly functioning in a safe environment.
Access to proper medical attention is also essential so that you can address any health problems or complications quickly and effectively before any serious damage.
If you’re unsure which sport is best for your child in specific, you can use Gluroo to log every detail of your child’s physical activity. You can then go through all the data and see which sport was best at controlling your kid’s levels and allowing him/her to remain stable during and after the exercise.
Not just exercise but you can track everything with Gluroo (including insulin delivery) and keep track of your kid’s levels at any time. You can also coordinate with your loved ones by adding them to the app so that everyone is always in the loop.
You can download Gluroo today for free.
