What is a key exercise consideration for individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus?

What is a key exercise consideration for individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus?

• A. Exercise reduces the need for insulin and replaces medications.
• B. Exercise has no effect on glucose uptake.
• C. Exercise enhances insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake but increases the risk of hypoglycaemia; careful monitoring of blood glucose is essential.
• D. Exercise only raises blood glucose levels.

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that exercise increases the body's use of glucose and boosts insulin sensitivity, which in people with type 1 diabetes means muscles can take up more glucose from the blood. Because their insulin is all exogenous, this greater uptake raises the risk of hypoglycemia during and after activity. So the best approach is to monitor blood glucose closely and adjust insulin dosing or carbohydrate intake around exercise to prevent lows. Exercise does not replace medications, and it does affect glucose handling—while very intense exercise can transiently raise glucose due to stress hormones, the overall and most important risk pattern in type 1 diabetes is hypoglycemia with activity. Practical implications include checking glucose before starting, having fast-acting carbs available, possibly reducing insulin dose or adding carbohydrates during longer or more intense sessions, and continuing to monitor glucose for several hours after exercise to catch any delayed drops.

The main idea is that exercise increases the body's use of glucose and boosts insulin sensitivity, which in people with type 1 diabetes means muscles can take up more glucose from the blood. Because their insulin is all exogenous, this greater uptake raises the risk of hypoglycemia during and after activity. So the best approach is to monitor blood glucose closely and adjust insulin dosing or carbohydrate intake around exercise to prevent lows. Exercise does not replace medications, and it does affect glucose handling—while very intense exercise can transiently raise glucose due to stress hormones, the overall and most important risk pattern in type 1 diabetes is hypoglycemia with activity. Practical implications include checking glucose before starting, having fast-acting carbs available, possibly reducing insulin dose or adding carbohydrates during longer or more intense sessions, and continuing to monitor glucose for several hours after exercise to catch any delayed drops.