ABSTRACT

People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are recommended to undertake regular exercise for the maintenance of overall health and to reduce the risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications. However, barriers that include fear of hypoglycaemia, loss of glycaemic control, and inadequate knowledge around blood glucose management during different forms of exercise represent major challenges for people with T1D. An understanding of the factors that influence blood glucose concentration during and after exercise are critical to enable people with T1D to undertake safe exercise. This chapter outlines the importance of glucose homeostasis and the numerous factors that influence blood glucose responses during exercise in people with T1D. The chapter then highlights the importance of regular exercise for the maintenance of cardio-metabolic health in people with T1D.