Through analytical autoethnographic analysis of marathon preparation, this study examines challenges faced by people with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) who engage in high-performance sports. Autoethnographer and second-person perspectives (T1D runners, family members, and health providers) were collected through introspective activities (autoethnographic diary and in-depth interviews) to understand the T1D runner’s coping experience. Six insights involved in T1D self-management were identified and analyzed with reference to related design tools (prototyping, archetyping and journey mapping). Finally, we conclude with a discussion of how endurance physical activity (PA) such as running helps to “domesticate” T1D, a term coined to reflect the difficulties that T1D presents for PA accomplishment and how T1D runners’ experiences give them an opportunity to overcome PA barriers promoting physical culture and enriching further health psychology studies.

IntroductionMaintaining glycemic control during and after physical activity (PA) is a major challenge in type 1 diabetes (T1D). This study compared the glycemic variability and exercise-related diabetic management strategies of adults with T1D achieving higher and lower PA loads in nighttime–daytime and active– sedentary behavior hours in free-living conditions.Research design and methodsActive adults (n=28) with T1D (ages: 35±10 years; diabetes duration: 21±11 years; body mass index: 24.8±3.4 kg/m2; glycated hemoglobin A1c: 6.9±0.6%) on continuous subcutaneous insulin delivery system with predictive low glucose suspend system and glucose monitoring, performed different types, duration and intensity of PA under free-living conditions, tracked by accelerometer over 14 days. Participants were equally divided into lower load (LL) and higher load (HL) by median of daily counts per minute (61122). Glycemic variability was studied monitoring predefined time in glycemic ranges (time in range (TIR), time above range (TAR) and time below range (TBR)), coefficient of variation (CV) and mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE). Parameters were studied in defined hours timeframes (nighttime–daytime and active–sedentary behavior). Self-reported diabetes management strategies were analysed during and post-PA.ResultsHigher glycemic variability (CV) was observed in sedentary hours compared with active hours in the LL group (p≤0.05). HL group showed an increment in glycemic variability (MAGE) during nighttime versus daytime (p≤0.05). There were no differences in TIR and TAR across all timeframes between HL and LL groups. The HL group had significantly more TBR during night hours than the LL group (p≤0.05). Both groups showed TBR above recommended values. All participants used fewer post-PA management strategies than during PA (p≤0.05).ConclusionActive people with T1D are able to maintain glycemic variability, TIR and TAR within recommended values regardless of PA loads. However, the high prevalence of TBR and the less use of post-PA management strategies highlights the potential need to increase awareness on actions to avoid glycemic excursions and hypoglycemia after exercise completion.