Improving the advice for patients with Type 1 diabetes
Managing glucose level through exercise
EXTOD: Exercise for Type 1 Diabetes
The three best ways to manage blood glucose levels for people with type 1 diabetes are insulin, diet, and exercise. At EXTOD, we focus on that vital third pillar: movement.
Exercise isn’t just about fitness. It improves glucose management by helping the body use insulin more effectively, reducing insulin needs, improving heart health, managing weight, and boosting mood while lowering stress. It also supports balance, joint health, and overall stability.
Through movement, people with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) gain more than physical benefits — they gain knowledge. Exercise quickly teaches how the body responds to insulin and different foods — fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. That understanding builds confidence and helps transform exercise from a source of fear into a path to freedom, leading to a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life.
Who We Are
EXTOD is for people living with T1D, as well as the Health Care Professionals (HCPs) and caregivers who support them. Our team includes world-class clinical academics, diabetes consultants, dietitians, experts who are living with type 1 diabetes, and elite athletes with T1D. Together, we break down the barriers that prevent people with T1D from exercising safely and confidently.
By “exercise,” we mean all physical movement that impacts glucose levels — from sports and workouts to everyday activities like walking, shopping, or gardening.
Our Mission
Our goal is simple: create the conditions where people with T1D can access, enjoy, and thrive in physical activity without being limited by outdated systems, stigma, or misinformation.
We focus on:- Tackling the fear of exercise-induced hypos
- Explaining how the body responds to different types of activity
- Sharing guidance on nutrition, hydration, and insulin adjustment
- Promoting inclusive sport and exercise environments that welcome T1D participation
Building a Supportive Community
No one with Type 1 Diabetes should face exercise alone. That’s why we bring together HCPs, people with T1D, caregivers, coaches, clubs, and sports associations into one community where science meets real-world experience. Together, we share strategies, stories, and practical tools that make safe, enjoyable exercise possible — whether it’s running a marathon, joining a sports club, or gardening without worry.
Empowering Through Knowledge
At EXTOD, we believe that you are the most powerful expert in your diabetes. Our mission is to give people with T1D the knowledge, tools, and confidence to take responsibility for their care. When people living with T1D become their own experts, HCPs can support them more effectively — creating a true partnership that fosters better diabetes management, greater independence, and more active, fulfilling lives.
The Key: Education
The mechanism for achieving all of this is education. Education doesn’t just transfer knowledge — it shapes attitudes, dismantles myths, and builds confidence.
For over 20 years, research with more than 20,000 people with T1D has revealed the top barriers to exercise:
- fear of hypoglycaemia (hypos, aka low blood glucose levels)
- confusion about glucose variation during and after exercise
- lack of clear guidance from HCPs and coaches
- bias in sports
- limited role models
- misconceptions within schools, sporting bodies, and even families
EXTOD directly tackles every one of these barriers through education — giving people with T1D practical tools, helping HCPs and coaches build confidence, correcting misconceptions in schools and sports, and raising visibility of T1D athletes. In short, we turn fear and uncertainty into knowledge and empowerment.
By equipping not only people with T1D and their caregivers but also healthcare professionals, coaches, educators, and policy makers, we can shift sport and health systems from passive acceptance to proactive support.
When knowledge spreads, barriers fall — and people with Type 1 Diabetes gain the freedom to move, play, and live fully.
EXTOD Healthcare Professionals National Conference: 24th & 25th November in Liverpool
EXTOD HCP conference 2025: 24th & 25th November in Liverpool
