Diabetes in Exercise and Sport

Episode guest Dr Ian Gallen is an award-winning Consultant Endocrinologist at Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading. He is a consultant physician, endocrinologist, and diabetologist whose career has included clinical medicine, research, medical education, and work relating to diabetes, exercise, and sport. His particular expertise is in diabetes, exercise and sport, including the practical challenges of managing diabetes during physical activity and competitive sport.

In this episode, Gallen breaks down the basics of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, the latest in management and care, how modern technology is helping sufferers and why there is no reason diabetics cannot play sport at the highest level.

His work has explored the relationship between insulin, glucose metabolism, nutrition and exercise, including the practical management of diabetes in people undertaking intensive physical activity. His clinical experience has included work with athletes and physically active people with diabetes. (Society for Endocrinology⁠)

He has served as a Special Medical Adviser to the London 2012 Olympic Games, with responsibilities relating to medical issues affecting athletes with diabetes. His work in this area has included teaching, lecturing and professional education on diabetes and exercise.

Ian has contributed to publications in diabetes, endocrinology, and exercise medicine, including work on exercise physiology, hypoglycaemia, insulin management, and athletic performance in diabetes.

In 2012 he edited Type 1 Diabetes: Clinical Management of the Athlete, published by Springer. The book addresses the clinical management of athletes with type 1 diabetes and the practical considerations involved in participating in sport. (Springer⁠)

He has also contributed to professional medical literature, including a chapter in the Oxford Handbook of Sport and Exercise Medicine.

Ian has contributed to professional and advisory work relating to diabetes, driving and medical practice. He received the Royal Society of Medicine Gold Medal in 2012 and was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2019.

He is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP) and a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (FRCPE) and holds the degree of Doctor of Medicine (MD).

Ian’s professional interests include the interaction between diabetes, metabolism, exercise and healthy ageing. He is particularly interested in helping people with diabetes participate safely in exercise and sport while managing the physiological challenges of training and competition.

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