Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels can get too high. As it tends to be a lifelong condition, it’s important to learn how to best manage it.
Being active has many benefits, especially when you have diabetes as staying active can help your body use insulin better.
Football is great exercise because it incorporates bursts of high intensity activity along with periods of low intensity activity, but it’s for this reason you’ll need to monitor your diabetes.
If you have a blood sugar testing machine, test before and after your match to see how it affects your levels as being physically active can make your blood sugar level go up or down.
You might have to change what you eat both before and after your time on the pitch to keep your blood sugar levels in check. To stop them getting too low, have a snack with starchy carbs before you get on the pitch.
Figuring out what playing football does to your diabetes can be a case of trial and error, so remember to make a note of your levels and how you feel when you’re on the pitch, so you’ll know what to change next time.
Be prepared for blood sugar highs and lows
Playing football can affect your blood sugar in different ways, so it’s important to be prepared in case your levels go too high or too low. Knowing the signs and having a plan in place can help you stay safe and feel more confident on the pitch
Low blood sugar (a hypo)
Can happen during or after exercise. You might feel shaky, sweaty, dizzy, confused or very hungry. If this happens, stop playing straight away and have something sugary – like glucose tablets, a small carton of juice or a few jelly babies. Follow it up with a longer-acting carbohydrate snack such as a cereal bar or a sandwich to help keep your levels steady.
High blood sugar (a hyper)
Might make you feel very thirsty, tired or give you a headache. This can happen if your insulin levels are off or you’re dehydrated. Sip water, rest, and monitor your levels if you’re able to.
It’s a good idea to bring a small “hypo kit” with you on match days. Include quick sugary snacks, some water and any testing kit you usually use. Let your MAN v FAT coach or a teammate know that you have diabetes and what they should do if you feel unwell – it only takes a moment but could make a real difference.
You might also need to adjust your insulin dosage before, during or after you exercise to bring your blood sugar levels into a normal zone. It’s best to ask your diabetes care team for advice on doing this, as it differs for everyone, and they’ll know best based on your diabetes history.
Look after your feet
If you’re going to be playing football regularly, you need to think about what you wear on your feet. It’s important that you wear well fitting, comfortable football boots. You can check with your MAN v FAT Football coach to see what type of boots are required for your MAN v FAT Football club’s pitch.
It’s also important that you look after your feet. Foot problems can be serious for people who have diabetes, so you should regularly check yours for any signs of damage (e.g. cuts, bruises or swelling), especially if you’re experiencing numbness or poor circulation.
Take it easy
It’s worth remembering that you can play as little or as much of a MAN v FAT Football game as you want. If you need to take a breather, it’s completely fine to stop.
Ask your diabetes care team for advice on managing your diabetes while playing footie. They’ll know your medical history and will be able to draw on their medical knowledge and experience to help you come up with a plan.
