Carbohydrate Management in Athletes with Type 1 Diabetes in a 10 km Run Competition

The aim of this study was to identify the real consumption of CHO during a 10 km competitive run, to compare data with the recommended quantities according to current guidelines, and to analyse the clinical events associated with these different amounts. Protocol 1: observational study including 31 athletes with T1D and 127 athletes without diabetes, comparing data taken from dietary records of CHO intake on the competition day. Protocol 2: single-blind randomized trial in 18 athletes with T1D, testing a pre-exercise CHO supplement of 0.7 g CHO·kg(- 1) (n=10) or 0.35 g CHO·kg(- 1) (n=8). The results showed that T1D athletes consumed a lower quantity of CHO than athletes without diabetes at their usual breakfast and during the meal taken<1 h after the competition, but no differences were found in the supplement taken before the competition. In the randomized study, athletes consuming the higher dose of CHO (0.7 g CHO·kg(- 1)) showed increased glycemic levels, comparing with the lower dose (0.35 g CHO·kg(- 1)). In conclusion, athletes with T1D seem to increase CHO intake prior to the competition consuming similar amounts to those athletes without diabetes, but consuming smaller quantities of CHO than the recommended amounts. This appears to induce a more stable glycemic response, in comparison with supplements with high-CHO content.