Strategies to reduce hyperglycemia-related anxiety in elite athletes with type 1 diabetes: A qualitative analysis.
<h4>Objective</h4>Managing blood glucose levels is challenging for elite athletes with type 1 diabetes (T1D) as competition can cause unpredictable fluctuations. While fear of hypoglycemia during physical activity is well documented, research on hyperglycemia-related anxiety (HRA) is lim...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2025-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0313051 |
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| author | Alexandra Katz Aidan Shulkin Marc-André Fortier Jane E Yardley Jessica Kichler Asmaa Housni Meryem K Talbo Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret Anne-Sophie Brazeau |
| author_facet | Alexandra Katz Aidan Shulkin Marc-André Fortier Jane E Yardley Jessica Kichler Asmaa Housni Meryem K Talbo Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret Anne-Sophie Brazeau |
| author_sort | Alexandra Katz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <h4>Objective</h4>Managing blood glucose levels is challenging for elite athletes with type 1 diabetes (T1D) as competition can cause unpredictable fluctuations. While fear of hypoglycemia during physical activity is well documented, research on hyperglycemia-related anxiety (HRA) is limited. HRA refers to the heightened fear that hyperglycemia-related symptoms will impair functioning. This study investigates current strategies employed to mitigate HRA during competition and the development of alternative approaches.<h4>Research design and methods</h4>Elite athletes with TID, aged >14 who self-reported HRA during competition were recruited. Elite athletes were defined as individuals exercising >10 hours per week whose athletic performance has achieved the highest competition level. 60 to 90-minute virtual semi-structured interviews were analyzed using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.<h4>Results</h4>Ten elite athletes with T1D (average age 25 ± 3 years; T1D duration 12 ± 8 years; number of competitions per year 27 ± 19; training time per week 12 ± 6 hours) reported the strategies they currently use to mitigate HRA. These strategies include managing insulin and nutrition intake, embracing social support networks, using technology, practicing relaxation techniques, establishing routines, performing pre-competition aerobic exercise, and maintaining adequate sleep hygiene. Several additional approaches that could be implemented were identified including establishing targeted support networks, developing peer-reviewed resources on HRA, ensuring support teams have sufficient tools, and improving existing technology.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Elite athletes with T1D use physiological and psychological strategies to mitigate HRA during competition. This finding highlights the need for increased support and education for these athletes, and advancements in technology. A multidisciplinary approach involving healthcare professionals, athletic staff, and peer mentors could help integrate personalized anxiety management and diabetes care strategies into training regimens, enhancing both mental resilience and performance outcomes for athletes with T1D. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b92848bdf15045ddb43be09103acf986 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj-art-b92848bdf15045ddb43be09103acf9862025-02-05T05:31:13ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01201e031305110.1371/journal.pone.0313051Strategies to reduce hyperglycemia-related anxiety in elite athletes with type 1 diabetes: A qualitative analysis.Alexandra KatzAidan ShulkinMarc-André FortierJane E YardleyJessica KichlerAsmaa HousniMeryem K TalboRémi Rabasa-LhoretAnne-Sophie Brazeau<h4>Objective</h4>Managing blood glucose levels is challenging for elite athletes with type 1 diabetes (T1D) as competition can cause unpredictable fluctuations. While fear of hypoglycemia during physical activity is well documented, research on hyperglycemia-related anxiety (HRA) is limited. HRA refers to the heightened fear that hyperglycemia-related symptoms will impair functioning. This study investigates current strategies employed to mitigate HRA during competition and the development of alternative approaches.<h4>Research design and methods</h4>Elite athletes with TID, aged >14 who self-reported HRA during competition were recruited. Elite athletes were defined as individuals exercising >10 hours per week whose athletic performance has achieved the highest competition level. 60 to 90-minute virtual semi-structured interviews were analyzed using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.<h4>Results</h4>Ten elite athletes with T1D (average age 25 ± 3 years; T1D duration 12 ± 8 years; number of competitions per year 27 ± 19; training time per week 12 ± 6 hours) reported the strategies they currently use to mitigate HRA. These strategies include managing insulin and nutrition intake, embracing social support networks, using technology, practicing relaxation techniques, establishing routines, performing pre-competition aerobic exercise, and maintaining adequate sleep hygiene. Several additional approaches that could be implemented were identified including establishing targeted support networks, developing peer-reviewed resources on HRA, ensuring support teams have sufficient tools, and improving existing technology.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Elite athletes with T1D use physiological and psychological strategies to mitigate HRA during competition. This finding highlights the need for increased support and education for these athletes, and advancements in technology. A multidisciplinary approach involving healthcare professionals, athletic staff, and peer mentors could help integrate personalized anxiety management and diabetes care strategies into training regimens, enhancing both mental resilience and performance outcomes for athletes with T1D.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0313051 |
| spellingShingle | Alexandra Katz Aidan Shulkin Marc-André Fortier Jane E Yardley Jessica Kichler Asmaa Housni Meryem K Talbo Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret Anne-Sophie Brazeau Strategies to reduce hyperglycemia-related anxiety in elite athletes with type 1 diabetes: A qualitative analysis. PLoS ONE |
| title | Strategies to reduce hyperglycemia-related anxiety in elite athletes with type 1 diabetes: A qualitative analysis. |
| title_full | Strategies to reduce hyperglycemia-related anxiety in elite athletes with type 1 diabetes: A qualitative analysis. |
| title_fullStr | Strategies to reduce hyperglycemia-related anxiety in elite athletes with type 1 diabetes: A qualitative analysis. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Strategies to reduce hyperglycemia-related anxiety in elite athletes with type 1 diabetes: A qualitative analysis. |
| title_short | Strategies to reduce hyperglycemia-related anxiety in elite athletes with type 1 diabetes: A qualitative analysis. |
| title_sort | strategies to reduce hyperglycemia related anxiety in elite athletes with type 1 diabetes a qualitative analysis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0313051 |
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