This National Diabetes Week (July 14-21), researchers from the Rio Tinto Children's Diabetes Centre at The Kids Research Institute Australia, are excited to launch the T1D sports resources to encourage physical activity in youth living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)
First-of-its-kind T1D sports resources have been designed to help coaches better understand the chronic condition and to encourage youth living with T1D to stay physically active.
Developed by researchers at the Rio Tinto Children’s Diabetes Centre at The Kids Research Institute Australia and Perth Children’s Hospital, the resources equip coaches to support and encourage young people playing sport.
Type 1 Diabetes is the most common chronic condition in children, affecting more than 1100 children in Western Australia. The condition is lifelong, with no cure, and impacts every aspect of a child and their family’s life, including exercise.
Co-director of the Rio Tinto Children’s Diabetes Centre, Professor Liz Davis, said while exercise was important for good physical and mental health in all people, there were additional benefits for people living with T1D including optimising blood glucose levels - leading to fewer health complications later in life.
“People living with T1D can participate in all forms of physical activity, but it can sometimes be more challenging, and currently kids with T1D tend to be less active than their peers,” Professor Davis said.
“We want to encourage young people living with T1D to feel more confident to participate in sport and physical activity to help them live a healthier life.”
Research has found one of the main barriers to participating in exercise and sport, identified by young people living with T1D, was a lack of knowledge and awareness of the condition by their coaches. Coaches also often reported they lacked the confidence and understanding to provide adequate support for young people living with T1D.
Associate Professor Craig Taplin, Head of Diabetes Service at PCH, said the Take PART resources (Physical Activity Resources for Type 1) had been co-designed with youth living with T1D, parents and coaches to educate coaches so they could better support youth with T1D during physical activity.
“The goal of these resources is to get them into community sports clubs so coaches have adequate knowledge and education about exercise and T1D management, so they can support their players living with T1D,” Dr Taplin said
“We hope these resources help young people living with T1D and their parents feel more confident during community sport and encourage participation in a variety of different activities.”
The resources include:
- A physical activity booklet providing an in-depth overview of T1D,
- A ‘My Diabetes’ individualised document for players to personalise about their diabetes and support they may require,
- A pocket wallet guide designed to be a small, handy resource that can be kept in a coach’s pocket or coaching bag
- An A4 Fact Sheet, providing an overview of key information to be aware of, and
- A Poster designed to be hung in a club room or foyer providing an overview of key information.
Thirteen-year-old Madeleine Pontifex, who was diagnosed with T1D at the age of seven, got involved in co-designing the resources because she believed if more coaches had information on T1D management, then more children would feel comfortable playing sport.
“For kids living with T1D wanting to get into sport, having these resources means that coaches will understand, and they won’t have to worry on their own,” Madeleine said.
The resources will be available through the PCH diabetes clinic, the Rio Tinto Children’s Diabetes Centre website www.diabetes.telethonkids.org.au, JDRF Australia and through participating sports organisations across Australia.
The Take PART resources have been funded by Diabetes Australia Research Program (DARP) 2023 Grant Round, JDRF and the Rio Tinto Children Diabetes Centre has been proudly funded by Rio Tinto.
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Traditional Owner Partnerships General Manager James Davison said, “The Kids Research Institute Australia, JDRF Australia, Telethon and Perth Children’s Hospital are helping find better ways to support a brighter, healthier future for children with Type 1 diabetes through the Rio Tinto Children’s Diabetes Centre.
“We are proud to be working with our partners to promote healthy, thriving communities in Western Australia.
“We look forward to these new resources for sports coaches supporting young people with Type 1 diabetes to feel more confident in participating in sports and helping them to achieve their goals.”