Background. Physical activity is currently not
contraindicated in patients with type 1 diabetes.
Patients having extensive knowledge of their disease
and good metabolic control may also practise sport
professionally. Nonetheless fear of hypoglycemia
among coaches, competitors or diabetologists often
limits the access to sport clubs, physical training in
schools or recreational exercise in type 1 diabetic subjects, regardless of their age. Aim of the study —
assessment of safety and glycemia during football
tournament in children and adolescents with type 1
diabetes.

Material and methods. 31 competitors (28 boys,
3 girls) aged 13.1 ± 3.0 years, type 1 diabetes
duration time 6.5 ± 4.0 years, HbA1c 7.3 ± 1.4%,
treated with functional intensive insulin therapy
(30 using personal insulin pump, 1 using pens) were
included. Glucose levels were assessed before, during
and immediately after matches. Hypoglycemia was
defined as glucose level < 60 mg/dl. A check for
ketone bodies in capillary blood was performed as
measured glucose level exceeded 300 mg/dl.

Results. Mean glucose level before matches was
154.1 ± 72.7 mg/dl, after matches 160.1 ± 79.6 mg/dl.
9 hypoglycemic events in 7 players and 6 episodes
of hyperglycemia > 300 mg/dl in 4 players were
observed during 6-hour football tournament. The
ketone bodies were negative in those competitors.
Conclusions. The results of this study indicate that
sport tournaments for children and adolescents with
type 1 diabetes are not associated with a particularly
high risk of severe hypoglycemia or metabolic
decompensation. Appropriate diabetes care is
needed to ensure safety during sport tournaments
for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.