Glycemic Control in a Type I Diabetic Athlete: Recommendations for Athletic Trainers in Management, Athlete Care, and Performance

Author

Megan Whyte, University of the PacificFollow

Date of Award

2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Department

Sport Sciences

First Advisor

J. Mark Van Ness

First Committee Member

Christine Lo Bue-Estes

Second Committee Member

Manuel De Alba

Abstract

Type I diabetes in athletes is a relatively rare condition and as a certified athletic trainer it is critical to know how to manage all aspects of this disease in an athlete. Current National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) guidelines exist for developing a basic plan for management and care of an athlete with Type I Diabetes, but there is room to improve current guidelines, using evidence-based practice. Purpose: to address: medical management of a type I diabetic athlete as a case study, obtain first person observations from the athlete’s perspective, and provide additional evidence based practice recommendations to athletic trainers based on the findings. Methods: case study narrative with one subject, a 22-year-old male collegiate soccer player was performed. Data were collected via open-ended questionnaire, open-ended interview, and subject’s submission of pertinent medical information and records. Results: The NATA Position Statement on Type I Diabetes and other peer review articles informed this study. While NATA guidelines created a good general baseline for how to approach providing diabetic athlete care; additional recommendations are suggested based on the findings of this case study. These recommendations include: Creating safe pre-participation blood glucose ranges to prevent hypoglycemia during exercise, establishing greater knowledge about the technology the patient uses, what medical supplies the patient should be responsible for versus the athletic trainer, developing a relationship with the patient’s endocrinologist or primary care physician, and administration of insulin by an athletic trainer. These additional suggested recommendations inform athletic trainers to attain a better understanding of how to manage and care for a patient with Type I Diabetes, and increase the likelihood of both streamlining patient care and preventing metabolic crisis.

Pages

41

Recommended Citation

Whyte, Megan. (2019). Glycemic Control in a Type I Diabetic Athlete: Recommendations for Athletic Trainers in Management, Athlete Care, and Performance. University of the Pacific, Thesis. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/3605