Physical workload and glycemia changes during football matches in adolescents with type 1 diabetes can be comparable

AIMS: To analyze physical performance and diabetes-related outcomes in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) during two semi-competitive football matches utilising precise physical activity monitoring. METHODS: The study was conducted during an annual summer camp for adolescents with T1DM. After physical examination and glycated hemoglobin measurement, 16 adolescent players completed Cooper’s 12-min running test and, in the following days, took part in two football matches while wearing heart rate (HR) monitors coupled with global positioning system (GPS) tracking. RESULTS: Both matches were comparable in terms of covered distances, number of sprints, achieved velocities and heart rate responses. During both games, capillary blood lactate increased significantly (Match 1: 1.75 ± 0.16–6.13 ± 1.73 mmol/l; Match 2: 1.77 ± 0.18–3.91 ± 0.63 mmol/l, p = 0.004). No significant differences in blood glucose were observed between the matches (p = 0.83) or over each match (p = 0.78). Clinically significant hypoglycemia (< 54 mg/dl) occurred in two children during the first match. None of the players experienced severe hypoglycemia. Despite similar workloads, players consumed significantly less carbohydrates during Match 2 [median difference: − 20 g (25–75%: − 40 to 0), p = 0.006]. CONCLUSIONS: HR monitoring and GPS-based tracking can effectively parameterize physical activity during a football match. In T1DM patients, exercise workload and glycemic changes during similar matches are comparable, which provides an opportunity to develop individual recommendations for players with T1DM. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s00592-019-01371-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.