Research

The EXTOD 101 study

The EXTOD 101 study is a collaboration with Paul Cocker (www.1bloodydrop.com) to support the Swansea Half Marathon in June 2018. Here, a world record was set when 69 people with type 1 diabetes ran the half marathon. Many of the participants consented to participate in the EXTOD 101 study where data on their training programme and blood glucose variability measured by flash glucose sensing was collected. This has provided a valuable insight into how a large number of people with type 1 diabetes approach training for extreme physical events, and the effect of such events on blood glucose.

All participants were provided a Freestyle Libre glucose sensor to wear during the weeks leading up to the event as part of their training and also to wear on race day. The results of the early analysis suggest that about a third of runners had a problem with hypo or hyperglycaemia as part of their training. Furthermore over 60% had a problem with hypo or hyperglycaemia on the day of the race and in half of these cases the participant had to stop to take corrective action. Further details of this study will be published once the data is fully analysed. Clearly the results of the EXTOD 101 study will be of interest to people with type 1 diabetes who are preparing for future sporting events.