For those people who are just starting out, or who are struggling to control their blood sugars when climbing, we have put together a few ideas that may help.

 

Due to it being indoors, hypos in climbing walls are less dangerous (for the most part) than those which happen outside away from possible help. Of course, it is still best to avoid a hypo if possible as climbing with low blood sugars is unpleasant and could possibly cause an accident. For that reason, it is inadvisable to climb or belay when your blood sugars are measuring less than 5mmol/l. By staying above this threshold the possibility for hypos while on the wall or belaying is significantly reduced, improving both enjoyment and safety.

 

How your blood sugars respond to climbing will depend on what you are doing. A session for a beginner will likely include trying out some easier climbs and perhaps venturing into the basics of roped climbing. Bouldering (smaller wall with crash mats underneath) will often mean climbing a lot more in a short period as you don’t have to take it in turns as often. This will mean an increase in activity and so a higher likelihood of blood sugars dropping over time. Roped climbing, especially for those starting out, is a slower process as there is much more stationary learning to do and when climbing you will normally take it in turns with your partner, meaning that the effect on blood sugars is lessened.

 

For those who have climbed for longer, the aim of your climbing session and the intensity of your climbing is likely to have the biggest impact on your blood sugars. A casual session with friends is going to have a smaller impact than dedicated training. The more time spent on the wall, the more likely you are to be slowly bringing down your blood sugars. It is important to note that if the intensity of your session drastically increases (turns anaerobic), then sometimes blood sugars can rise instead of fall. Checking your blood sugars regularly during a session like this and giving a small micro dose of insulin can help to mitigate these unwanted high readings. As always, if you have any doubts about your ability to climb safely or belay safely, the safest thing to do is stop.

 

Learning how you react and the best insulin ratio to use when climbing will take time. As an indoor climbing session is indoors(!), it is always possible to stop and take a break when needed and most centres offer a café of some description and so sugar and a comfy sofa will be available when needed.