OPTIMIZING DIETARY MANAGEMENT IN ELDERLY DIABETIC ATHLETES: EVALUATING THE IMPACT ON SELF-PERCEIVED HEALTH BURDEN AND ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

Abstract

Objective: To assess the impact of specialized dietary management on the self-perceived burden (SPB) and self-management abilities in elderly diabetic athletes, focusing on both general health and athletic performance. Methods: The study involved 88 elderly diabetic patients divided into two groups based on the period of their hospital admission. The first group (42 patients), admitted from January to June 2022, served as the control group and received routine health education. The second group (46 patients), admitted from July to December 2022, was designated as the study group and received targeted dietary management education. Both groups were evaluated for fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose (2hPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), self-perceived economic, emotional, and physical burden, and self-management abilities related to medication, glucose monitoring, exercise, and diet, both before the intervention and six months afterward. Results: Post-intervention, improvements were observed in FPG, 2hPG, and HbA1c levels in both groups, with more significant reductions in the study group (P < 0.05). SPB, encompassing economic, emotional, and physical aspects, decreased in both groups, with the study group reporting lower burdens compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the study group demonstrated greater enhancements in medication compliance, blood glucose self-monitoring, exercise self-management, and diet self-management compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Targeted dietary management significantly enhances blood glucose control, reduces self-perceived burdens, and improves self-management capabilities in elderly diabetic athletes. This approach not only promotes better health outcomes but also potentially improves athletic performance by optimizing energy levels and reducing complications associated with diabetes.