Which statement about exercise for people with type 1 diabetes is NOT consistent with recommended practice?

Which statement about exercise for people with type 1 diabetes is NOT consistent with recommended practice?

• A. Exercising during peak insulin action is recommended.
• B. Exercise should be scheduled at the same time daily.
• C. Exercise should be performed daily at the same time and intensity.
• D. Regular exercise helps control blood glucose levels.

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is how exercise interacts with insulin action in type 1 diabetes to prevent dangerous low blood glucose. Exercising when insulin action is at its peak is not advised because insulin levels are already driving glucose into muscles, and activity further increases glucose uptake and energy use. This combination raises the risk of hypoglycemia during and after exercise, so planning exercise for a time when insulin is less active or adjusting insulin and carbohydrate intake around the activity is the safer approach. In practice, you aim to exercise at a time when insulin action isn’t at its peak, and you monitor your glucose closely before, during, and after activity, treating any low glucose promptly. Regular exercise tends to help with blood glucose control, and many people find it helpful to maintain some routine—such as a consistent schedule—though insisting on daily exercise at the same time and intensity is not strictly required for all individuals.

The key idea here is how exercise interacts with insulin action in type 1 diabetes to prevent dangerous low blood glucose. Exercising when insulin action is at its peak is not advised because insulin levels are already driving glucose into muscles, and activity further increases glucose uptake and energy use. This combination raises the risk of hypoglycemia during and after exercise, so planning exercise for a time when insulin is less active or adjusting insulin and carbohydrate intake around the activity is the safer approach.

In practice, you aim to exercise at a time when insulin action isn’t at its peak, and you monitor your glucose closely before, during, and after activity, treating any low glucose promptly. Regular exercise tends to help with blood glucose control, and many people find it helpful to maintain some routine—such as a consistent schedule—though insisting on daily exercise at the same time and intensity is not strictly required for all individuals.