Help us test and improve new online education for coaches and physical activity providers
We are running a pilot study of a new online educational resource designed to help sports coaches and physical activity providers support athletes living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The resource has been co-created with people living with T1D, parents, coaches, health professionals, and national governing body representatives, and focuses on the practical challenges of managing T1D in sport and physical activity settings. The pilot aims to test the feasibility, acceptability, and usability of this prototype training before a wider roll-out, and to understand its impact on coaches’ knowledge, confidence, and perceived capability to support athletes with T1D
Project details:
The online training is hosted on the University of Exeter’s Exeter Learn platform and takes around 30–60 minutes to complete at the participant’s own pace. It combines short text explanations, videos, infographics, and quiz-based activities, and has been co-designed with people living with type 1 diabetes, coaches, and healthcare professionals. The content focuses on:
The unique challenges people living with T1D can face when taking part in sport and physical activity, including managing blood glucose, balancing insulin and carbohydrate intake, and dealing with stigma or misunderstanding.
Practical strategies for coaches and physical activity providers to create safe, inclusive environments and to feel more confident supporting athletes with T1D in both routine and emergency situations.
Reflection and self-assessment activities, via pre- and post-training questionnaires, to explore changes in knowledge, confidence, and perceived capability, and to gather feedback that will inform refinement of the resource.
Participants in the pilot are invited to:
Complete a brief pre-training questionnaire.
Access and complete the online training module.
Complete a post-training questionnaire about their experience and learning.
Optionally, volunteer for a follow-up interview (30–60 minutes) to discuss the acceptability, usability, and perceived value of the resource in more depth.