Exercise
Pumps & Smart Pens
Utilizing Devices for Exercise
Pumps and smart pens are often designed with physical activity and exercise in mind. Many of these smart devices can track insulin on board (IOB) to prevent concerns like hypoglycemia or overlapping boluses. Many insulin pumps also have an "activity" or "exercise" mode built-in to increase your glucose target during exercise. Below we provide some information on how to utilize these systems.
Tips for Activity with Pumps & Smart Pens:
Tandem Control IQ and Medtronic 670G/770G/780G pumps can be a good option for contact sports
- May need to disconnect or remove the device
- Can re-connect and give correction bolus if necessary
Omnipod 5 can be a good option for swimming (unique to other pumps) and other water-based sports
- No tubing
- Option to wear in the water and continue insulin delivery during swims
Tandem Mobi pump is new, small, and can be easily disconnected from body for sports
Smart insulin pens (e.g., InPen, NovoPen, Unity, Tempo, etc.) can be used for individuals on MDI to better track active insulin etc. particularly for exercise
Consider changing infusion sets more frequently (e.g., every 1-2 days if participating in contact sports and worried about issues with occlusions)
Types of infusion sets – some individuals may prefer using auto soft for contact sports
Injections can also be a good option for contact sports
- Free from many devices being connected to the body
- Some prefer fewer devices or less technology overall
- May have less worry about devices falling off during activity
Automated Insulin Delivery Systems
Many automated insulin delivery (AID) systems have activity or exercise features that can be activated during physical activity to reduce insulin delivery and change your target glucose value. Below, we show a table with the different physical activity changes you can achieve using the Tandem t:slim X2 with Control IQ, Omnipod 5, and Minimed 780G.
CHECK OUT OUR WISDOM SECTION TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PUMPS AND SMART PENS FOR EXERCISE
You can see where you are running high or low. Also the doctors can look at your recent numbers and see where you stand as far as your A1C levels.
Julie
I know that devices are getting better and I want to give myself every opportunity to live as long and healthy as possible.
Michael
I REALLY don't like the idea of something stuck to my body. I like the relatively low profile that pen injections have, and do not mind the more manual steps it involves- but realize it is not totally intuitive.