Our vision

Helping people with type 1 diabetes be active safely, confidently and more often by co-designing practical support with people with type 1 diabetes, families and professionals.

Alongside diet and insulin, regular physical activity is an important part of living well with type 1 diabetes. However, many adolescents find it difficult to be active because they worry about low blood sugar, are unsure how to manage insulin and carbohydrates around exercise, or do not feel supported in school and sport settings.

ISPA-T1D is a programme of work focused on improving support for physical activity in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Our goal is to help young people be active safely, confidently, and in ways that fit their everyday lives. We are not developing a single intervention in isolation. Instead, we are using findings from several studies to build a clearer understanding of what support is needed, where the gaps are, and how support can be delivered in practice.

Across the programme, we are exploring the experiences and needs of adolescents, parents, healthcare professionals, PE teachers, and sports coaches. We are also reviewing existing self-management approaches, examining the role of physical activity in quality of life, and looking at the wider policy and organisational context that shapes support in schools, clubs, and healthcare settings.

This work suggests that young people and families often rely on trial and error, informal advice, and variable support from professionals. It also shows that many coaches, teachers, and healthcare professionals would benefit from clearer guidance, practical resources, and training to help them support physical activity more effectively. Taken together, these findings will inform the development of future interventions, resources, and implementation strategies that are grounded in real-world experience.

The overall aim is to create support that is practical, youth-friendly, and relevant to the people around adolescents with type 1 diabetes. By bringing together evidence from different studies and working with key stakeholders, ISPA-T1D aims to improve physical activity opportunities and reduce the barriers that prevent young people from being active.