Exercise
Pumps & Smart Pens
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
Exercise with 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. The table above shows the different changes you can achieve with 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
I chose to use a CGM and pump because they create a discreet combination that works well.
Mark
It's worth it to me, particularly when I sleep and wake up to see that the closed loop has gotten my blood sugar down, or suspended my insulin.
Justus
It was kind of like a weight lifted off my shoulders because I didn’t have to worry about doing all that stuff anymore. I was able to just test my sugar, put in the carbs I'm eating, and that was it.