The first game of a new season is always highly anticipated by children, be it football or any team sport.  Parents, grandparents and community supporters all crowd into the bleachers to yell and scream, sharing in the prideful moment of past accomplishments and future expectations. Getting prepared for the first game of the season takes commitment and hard work, but some young athletes have to overcome more than tryouts and two-a-days.

I have witnessed some of the obstacles first-hand. Imagine a team filing into an arena wearing new black-on-black uniforms. Cheers erupt and cheerleaders dance to the beat. A loudmouthed adult quickly ruins the moment by calling out one passing player: “Hey, Bud. Did mamma make you bring your lunch?”  His name was Jared. He carried a pack about the size of a lunch pack. I knew why.  He suffered from Diabetes. Jared and his parents had worked long and hard just to get him healthy enough to play.


It didn’t take long for Jared to silence the loudmouth behind me and anyone else who might have had reservations about him being a part of the team.  On the second play of their first possession, Jared flattened the ball carrier on the opposing team, answering any questions about his strength and conditioning. It was a wonderful moment.

Young competitors such as Jared are hardly rare. There are many budding athletes facing serious obstacles from within their own bodies. Unlike visible handicaps, chronic diseases like hypoglycemia, asthma or adolescent diabetes, produce equally challenging obstacles despite being hidden from the casual observer.  Many parents wonder if a young athlete that needs medical help and assistance with complicated issues can maintain the focus and strength it takes to compete.  Not only is this a possibility, recent developments have helped make the quest for optimum sports performance attainable with the help of specialized medical care and supervision.
     

Parents of young athletes who have frequently seen their children in medical crises are often reluctant to allow their children to participate in the sporting realm, as this requires them to allow their children to step outside of protective, controlled surroundings. But for some children, playing sports can be beneficial both physically and psychologically. To help ease some of the concerns, let’s examine one major medical condition for young athletes: Diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone needed for daily life that helps the body use or store glucose it gets from food. Sufferers of Type I (which afflicts children and nearly 1 million Americans) and Type II (which consists of 90-95 percent of the diabetes community) exhibit symptoms such as thirst, excessive urination, hunger, weight loss and weakness.  In children, diabetes is far more difficult to diagnose and treat. Young boys and girls can suffer loss of vision, slow healing of cuts and bruises, intense skin itching, along with pain or numbness in the fingers and toes, and drowsiness.  

So what can consistent exercise achieve for those with diabetes?  Walking—exercise
at its most basic form—is prescribed for many diseases including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes.  The more strenuous the activity, the more benefit. Sports such as running, tennis, swimming and organized team sports kick up the benefits a notch or two. Consistent exercise makes insulin work better in the body, helping keep someone with diabetes in a healthier range. Additionally, in people with either Type I or II diabetes, body fat keeps insulin from working effectively to control blood sugar levels. Increased exercise will help burn calories and fat, making it easier to maintain a healthy body weight. Dr. Lyle Micheli, Director of Sports Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital, gives concerned parents of children diagnosed with Type I, or child-onset diabetes, much needed guidance in his book The Sports Medicine Bible for Young Athletes.  He provides strong evidence that children with diabetes, asthma and epilepsy not only benefit from physical activity in the traditional way, but also receive a psychological boost from being involved in sports fitness. Although the benefits of sports for children are vast, Dr. Micheli reminds us that risks still remain. “It is absolutely essential that before starting any sport, a child with a serious medical condition have a physical exam conducted by a physician who understands the child’s particular condition,” he says.  “If your primary care physician insists that your child cannot take part in sports, you should look for a physician with the knowledge and concern to explore the possibilities.  Even youngsters with severe medical conditions will benefit from an appropriate sport or fitness activity, and participation is infinitely preferable to a lonely, sedentary childhood.”

   
Many young athletes are able to control their diabetes without insulin. In order to do this, proper nutrition plays a huge role, not only in what they eat, but how often and how much. It’s important to eat before exercise and to have a glucose supplement hourly, during prolonged exercise.  Today, it is common to see snack packs carried by athletes who battle with regulating their blood sugar levels.  

In some cases however, insulin injections are inevitable.   For those needing injections, Dr. Micheli cautions to follow certain precautions.  “If insulin is injected into a part of the body needed for vigorous movement, such as a jogger’s leg, exercise may dangerously accelerate the absorption of insulin into the system,” he says. “A sudden burst of insulin, especially during exercise, may cause a serious insulin reaction.  For this reason, it is best to inject the hormone into the abdominal wall or the fatty area of the buttock.”
 If you think competitive sports and insulin injections sound incompatible, take a look at the example of Adam Morrison and Jay Cutler. During his senior year at Gonzaga University, Morrison led the NCAA in scoring, posting 28 points per game. At age 14, Morrison’s family physician informed him that he had Type I diabetes. A young basketball player at the time, Morrison’s doctor explained that he could continue playing the game he loved at a high level if he took care of himself. Morrison—currently a member of the Los Angeles Lakers—checks his blood sugar level periodically during games and occasionally injects himself with Insulin during competition.

Newly crowned Chicago Bears starting quarterback Jay Cutler learned he had Type I diabetes in April of 2008. After adjusting his daily life accordingly, Cutler went on to have the best statistical season of his career, good enough to earn a trip to the NFL Pro Bowl. We cannot afford to take the challenge of medical issues like diabetes lightly. However, a diagnosis of the condition doesn’t have to eliminate the sports activities children enjoy.  The first step is locating good physician care that can help you through the complicated issues. Dealing with issues such as diabetes is not easy for parents or children, but the disease can be managed accordingly. A child can enjoy the physical benefits of exercise and positive character development of team sports regardless of medical challenges.  It’s all a matter of maintaining a positive attitude and healthy lifestyle.