Journal Article

Beyond Euglycemia: Case Studies Using Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Elite Athletes Without Diabetes During Record Athletic Events

Zignoli, Andrea, Skroce, Kristina, Zisser, Howard C., Lipman, David J., Turner, Lauren V., Riddell, Michael C.

2026

Overview

Glucose data regarding extreme elite performances in athletes without diabetes remains limited. The purpose is to characterize continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) responses in elite athletes across distinct high-performance contexts. This descriptive case series includes three separate elite athletes who used a CGM during their respective sporting events. The first is an ultra-endurance relay cycling world-record performance (Race Across the West, RAW), the second is a continuous high-intensity Everesting Challenge cycling record attempt, and the third is a maximal constant-weight no-fins breath-hold depth dive performed in international competition. Glycemic outcomes, as measured by CGM, included mean, maximum, and minimum glucose, glucose standard deviation (SD), and the percentage of time in tight glucose range (TITR: 70–140 mg/dL; 3.9–7.8 mmol/L), time below range (TBR: <70 mg/dL; <3.9 mmol/L), and time above range (TAR140: >140 mg/dL; >7.8 mmol/L). Other performance data, including peak power, heart rate, and lactate, are also provided where available. During the RAW challenge lasting 44 h and 20 min, mean glucose was 91 ± 23.2 mg/dL (mean ± SD) with 9.15% TBR and 35.58% TITR during cycling and 115 ± 24.7 mg/dL with 9.11% TBR and 43.16% TITR during resting periods. In contrast, the Everesting Challenge cycling record attempt demonstrated a persistently elevated glucose profile (160 ± 5.7 mg/dL), minimal variability (CV 3.5%), and 100% TAR140. Following the maximal breath-hold depth dive, interstitial glucose was 100% TAR140 during recovery (187 ± 18.5 mg/dL), alongside marked elevations in blood lactate concentrations (peak 13.4 mmol/L). The series of case studies demonstrate that substantial deviations from traditional euglycemic ranges are common during elite performance in athletes without diabetes. Interpretation of CGM data in athletic settings should therefore be performance- and context-specific rather than based on clinical glycemic thresholds.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
• Subject: Adult / Athletes / Athletic Performance - physiology / Bicycling / Biofeedback / Biosensors / Blood Glucose - analysis / Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring - methods / Case studies / Continuous Glucose Monitoring / Diabetes / Diabetes Mellitus - blood / Endurance / Exercise / Glucose monitoring / glycemia / Humans / Hyperglycemia / Hypoglycemia / Male / Monitoring, Physiologic - methods / Physical fitness / Sensors / Smartphones