| Topic: | Diabetes (DM) |
| Title: | Playing Soccer: What's Your Game Plan?. |
| Author: | Ross, T.; Geil, P. |
| Source: | Diabetes Self-Management. 19(2): 106-112. March-April 2002. |
| Availability: | Available from R.A. Rapaport Publishing, Inc. 150 West 22nd Street, New York, NY 10011. (800) 234-0923. Website: www.diabetes-self-mgmt.com. |
| Abstract: | Soccer leads all team sports as the number one supervised activity for youths age 18 and younger in the United States. This article provides parents of children with diabetes a guide to soccer and determining if this is a good activity for their child. For boys and girls with diabetes, soccer offers all the benefits of physical activity, such as improved blood glucose control and better cardiovascular health, as well as an opportunity to participate in the fun of being part of a team. Soccer is an activity that mixes short periods of intense activity with periods of low to moderate intensity exercise and occasional rest periods. The authors offer strategies for pregame preparation, including steps to prevent hypoglycemia and determining the need for carbohydrate supplementation; factors to consider during the soccer game, notably hydration and blood glucose levels; and post game suggestions, including the need for frequent monitoring of blood glucose levels. The author concludes that the benefits of participating in soccer are well worth the extra time that parents and child may spend to prepare for and monitor the diabetes. One chart lists super soccer snacks; another offers a soccer bag checklist for the soccer player with diabetes. One side bar reports on research that showed that even the act of cheering on a sports team from the sidelines may deliver an increase in blood glucose levels, perhaps due to a rapid rise in stress hormones. 2 figures. |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English. |
| Major Keywords: | Diabetes Mellitus. Sports. Children. Adolescents. Patient Care Management. Blood Glucose. |
| Minor Keywords: | Hypoglycemia. Prevention. Emergencies. Carbohydrates. Metabolism. Dehydration. Parent Education. Equipment and Supplies. Insulin. SMBG. Exercise. |
| Publication Number: | DMJA10228 |
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