My son is on a pump with excellent control (last two AcCs have been below 7). He plays soccer on the weekend and does very well. He starts the game around 150 mg/dl [8.3 mmol/L] and when the game is over, he is around 120 mg/dl [6.7 mmol/L]. But, when he gets home from the game, he is so tired that all he wants to do is lie down and rest. His brother, who doesn’t have diabetes, is on the team and when he gets home, he goes outside to ride his bike or skateboard all day. My son with type 1 used to be the energetic one. Does diabetes take away his stamina?

An athlete in good diabetes control should not fatigue any more than an athlete without diabetes. If blood sugars are high, during or after activity, fatigue is often an issue. Dehydration can also be a problem with fatigue. It is prudent to hydrate before, during and after an event. Water is the best source as long as the activity is an hour or so long. Longer activities may need some electrolyte replacement (i.e., Gatorade), especially in hot environments.

Replacing glycogen stores lost during activity within 15 minutes of completing exercise may help with fatigue as well. A combination of carbohydrates and protein is best. A good example of this is a peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread.

RP