Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are small adhesive skin patches with a Bluetooth connection to smartphones that diabetes patients use to monitor their blood glucose levels. Some Olympic athletes, like Dutch marathon runner Abdi Nageeye, have started using CGMs in hopes of enhancing their athletic performance. Despite the potential benefits of CGMs, there is currently limited scientific research on how these devices can be effectively utilized to optimize an athlete’s routines. CGMs are also being explored for non-diabetic users as a tool for sports and wellness.
Dexcom and Abbott are some of the leading manufacturers of CGMs, targeting both diabetes patients and the broader sports and wellness market. They have seen significant growth in the CGM market, driven by the demand from diabetes patients for an alternative to traditional blood glucose monitoring methods. Dexcom’s Stelo device recently received U.S. approval for purchase without a prescription, while Abbott introduced a CGM product for non-diabetic consumers in Europe and is planning a U.S. launch of its Lingo device. These companies are working with athletes and researchers to explore how CGMs can optimize calorie intake and workout intensity.
Top athletes, including Olympic marathon runners and swimmers, have been using CGMs to monitor their blood glucose levels as a way to gauge their energy levels and optimize their training routines. The data collected from CGMs have helped athletes make adjustments to their sleep and eating patterns to ensure they are expending energy efficiently during training sessions. While companies see potential for growth in the consumer market for CGMs, sports nutrition scientists caution against using these devices without professional guidance or more research on how to effectively optimize an athlete’s routines using CGMs.
Researchers are actively studying the potential applications of CGMs in the sports industry, particularly for endurance athletes who often struggle to determine the optimal intensity of their training routines. Despite the lack of validated science on how best to utilize CGMs in athletic settings, there is ongoing experimentation and trials to understand how these devices can enhance an athlete’s performance. Sports scientists are exploring various avenues, including glucose-measuring contact lenses, to further enhance the monitoring capabilities offered by CGMs.
While the potential benefits of using CGMs in sports and wellness are promising, experts emphasize the importance of professional guidance when utilizing these devices. Greg Cox, a sports dietician, has conducted trials using CGMs with athletes to understand how diet and exercise affect blood glucose readings. He stresses the need for more research to fully understand how CGMs can be effectively integrated into an athlete’s training routine. Additionally, there is skepticism about non-diabetic consumers using CGMs without professional advice, as the interpretation of blood glucose data can be misleading for those without underlying health conditions.
In conclusion, while CGMs offer a novel way for athletes to monitor their blood glucose levels and optimize their training routines, there is still much to learn about how to effectively utilize this technology in the sports and wellness industry. With ongoing research and experimentation, the scientific community aims to enhance the understanding of CGM applications in athletic settings to help athletes achieve peak performance. As the market for CGMs continues to grow, it is essential to provide athletes and non-diabetic consumers with accurate information and professional guidance to ensure the safe and effective use of these devices.
