Take Another Course
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Hypoglycemia Prevention Based On Timing and Duration For post-meal exercise, it is best to reduce mealtime insulin (the amount will be discussed in a moment). For pre-meal (or between-meal), exercise it is best to consume a carbohydrate snack prior to exercise (the amount will also be discussed in a moment). With longer duration bouts of physical activity, apply the strategies described above, PLUS add regular carbohydrate-containing snacks throughout the activity, and consider reductions in long-acting or basal insulin. It is also necessary to watch for delayed glucose drops, particularly with higher-intensity and “exhaustive” forms of exercise. This is due to the muscles’ replenishment of glycogen stores, as well as a marked increase in insulin sensitivity that follows these types of workouts.
Mealtime Medication Adjustments - Post-meal activity The amount of mealtime insulin reduction varies based on many factors, including the length and intensity level of the workout. Best to start with a 50% reduction to the meal and titrate based on results. The total dose (the amount needed for food PLUS correction of an elevated glucose level) is the amount that should be reduced. If doing so produces hyperglycemia at the end of the workout, make a smaller reduction next time. If hypoglyemia occurs, make a greater reduction next time. The adjustments may need to be customized to the specific type of workout as well as the time of day at which the workout takes place. For those whose glucose is near-normal going into a workout, it is usually best to eliminate the prior dose of oral insulin secretagogues.
Snacking to Prevent Hypoglycemia - Pre/between meal activity For workouts that take place before or between meals, as well as spontaneous exercise (where the insulin/medication adjustment was made), the best way to avoid hypoglycemia is to consume carbohydrate. The bigger the person and higher the workout intensity, the more carbohydrate will be needed to prevent hypogylcemia. It's b est to consume rapid-acting forms of carbohydrate such as sports drinks, juice, regular soda, crackers, or sweet low-fat candies.For best results, take the snack about 10 minutes before starting to exercise. This allows some digestion/absorption to take place before exercise begins. Note that the chart below is for 60 minutes of activity. Those exercising for less than an hour should adjust the amount. For example, someone who weighs 200 lbs and performs moderate-intensity exercise for 30 minutes should consume about 20-25g of carbohydrate before the workout begins. For exercise lasting longer than 60 minutes, it is usually best to consume carbs every 30 minutes. This keeps the glucose in a more stable range rather than peaking very high and then dropping.
Glucose Burned per 60 Minutes of Physical Activity
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