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
As I began to trust the system more, I gave it more and more range to have control managing my diabetes, which has worked really well.
Dan
I was adamant I’d stop using it once the baby was born but I actually started liking seeing my plots and avoiding the lows and highs.
Lolly
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.