Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Healthy Athletes: Current Evidence, Practical Applications and Limitations: A Narrative Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2026.69.74446Keywords
continuous glucose monitoring, CGM, athletes, exercises, sports nutrition, glucose metabolismAbstract
Background. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has gained increasing interest in sports science as a tool for evaluating glucose responses during exercise, recovery, and daily training in healthy athletes. Despite its growing popularity, the practical value of CGM in sport remains uncertain.
Aim. The aim of this narrative review was to critically evaluate the current evidence regarding the application of continuous glucose monitoring in healthy, non-diabetic athletes.
Materials and Methods. A narrative review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. Original studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and consensus statements published in English were included. The retrieved literature was narratively synthesized according to the objectives of this review.
Results. Current evidence suggests that CGM improves understanding of individual glucose responses to exercise and nutritional interventions. However, methodological heterogeneity, variability among CGM systems, and the limited number of intervention studies restrict the practical application of current findings. There is currently insufficient evidence that routine CGM-guided interventions improve athletic performance or recovery in healthy athletes.
Conclusions. CGM represents a promising complementary tool for personalized athlete monitoring and sports nutrition. Nevertheless, further high-quality research is required before its routine use in healthy athletes can be recommended.
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