How can people with type 1 diabetes stay active with technologies?

Regular physical activity is very important for people living with type 1 diabetes because it improves overall health and blood sugar control. However, many people with type 1 diabetes do not meet the recommended activity levels. Researchers wanted to understand the main barriers that prevent them from being physically active. This study used data from the BETTER registry, a Canadian database where people with type 1 diabetes answer health questionnaires. The study included 1,117 participants aged 14 and older. Researchers used a survey called BAPAD1 to measure barriers to physical activity. They also looked at factors such as age, sex, income, diabetes management methods, blood sugar levels, and mental health. The results showed that the most common barrier to physical activity was the fear of low blood sugar. About 46% of participants said this fear made it harder for them to exercise. Other common barriers included weather conditions, losing control of blood sugar during exercise, and busy work schedules. Researchers expected that newer diabetes technologies—such as continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps, and automated insulin delivery systems—would reduce these barriers. However, the study found that people using these technologies often reported similar or even higher fears of low blood sugar compared to those not using them. One possible reason is that these devices make people more aware of blood sugar changes during exercise, which may increase anxiety. The study also found that some personal factors were linked to higher barriers to physical activity. These included: Being female; Having a higher body mass index (BMI); Taking medication for depression; Having lower confidence in managing low blood sugar. People with higher perceived barriers tended to be less physically active overall. Even with modern diabetes technologies, the fear of low blood sugar remains the biggest barrier to exercise for people with type 1 diabetes. To help people become more active, healthcare providers may need to combine education, psychological support, and better use of technology to address these fears and other challenges. If you want to read the whole study but don’t have access to the full version, you can email the corresponding author of the article and they can send it to you.