Barriers to glucose control for high school athletes with type 1 diabetes

The purpose of this research was to identify the barriers to glucose management in athletes with type 1 diabetes in order to assist Registered Dietitians in providing better glucose management education. Data for this descriptive study were collected through one-on-one 45-60 minute structured interviews. The 6 participants were recruited from high school athletic programs in western New York. Participants were between the ages of 14-19, in high school athletics, and had type 1 diabetes. Data were analyzed using a coding system that grouped individual statements with similar meaning. Common themes were identified and rank ordered to answer the research questions. The three most common barriers to glucose control identified by athletes with type 1 diabetes were: hypoglycemia during performance, the use of injections instead of an insulin pump, and hyperglycemia immediately post-performance. Differences in patterns of glucose management were identified between subjects who achieved HbAl c levels <7.5% and those who did not. This research concluded that Registered Dietitians should recognize the successful glucose management strategies of athletes and focus their education on these strategies. Future research needs to investigate these successful glucose management strategies and how athletes who struggle with glucose management can implement them.;Keywords: type 1 diabetes; glucose management; glucose control; athletes; high school; thematic content analysis..