We carried the Abbott's blood glucose biosensor meant for it sport and sportsmen, the new Free Sense. The device, as big as a coin from two euros, it analyzes the glucose in the body and is great for those who want to regulate their diet and their training. The sensor remains attached to the arm for 14 days, resists (well) water and sweat, providing information on blood sugar. The monitored data can be collected and analyzed with the smartphone. The Abbott biosensor accompanied us for two weeks. Find out what we think in our Abbott Libre Sense review.
- Abbott Libre Sense review: the biosensor for athletes
- Supersapiens app: data collection and analysis
- Abbott Libre Sense review: is it worth buying?
- More on Libre Sense and technology applied to sport
Abbott Libre Sense review: the biosensor for athletes
Abbott is a medical device company with a wealth of experience in proposing solutions for people with diabetes. Thanks to the knowledge of the sector, the company has decided to put its experience at the service of normoglycemic sportsmen.
Although the device arrives in a box that is more reminiscent of a technological drug than the gadgets we usually review, the important thing to specify immediately is that Abbott Libre Sense is not a medical device. This is also due to the fact that the sensor is not reusable.
How Abbott Libre Sense Works
Abbott Libre Sense is a disposable glucose biosensor for personal use. The device allows athletes and sportsmen to measure glucose continuously. In this way, the wearer can better monitor and understand the correlation between glucose levels and their performance and, therefore, the effectiveness of their diet. At the heart of its operation is Abbott FreeStyle Libre technology, developed for people with diabetes and a world leader. The data is monitored via a mobile app.
The Libre Sense sensor goes applied in the back above the triceps and must be worn continuously for 14 days. Once the two weeks of testing are over, the blood glucose biosensor must be removed and cannot be used again.
The convenience of this solution is that the device arrives already calibrated and ready to use. Just connect it to the application SuperSensor (which we will talk about in the next paragraphs). Then, once it is placed on your arm, you can immediately use it to monitor your blood sugar while biking, running, swimming or more.
How to wear Libre Sense
Abbott has endowed Libre Sense with a small needle that fits under the skin and analyzes the glycemia in the soft tissue under the arm. But don't be scared, wear it it's not painful at all: you feel absolutely nothing.
In the package you will find a sealed box that contains the sensor and a plastic applicator. After disinfected the part of the arm where you want to apply it (however in the back above the triceps), remove the film.
You see the top of the sensor. Now take the applicator and remove the cap by unscrewing it. Line up the gap in the applicator edge with the notch on the plastic around the biosensor (easily recognizable). Now press the applicator until you can: you don't need a lot of force. Now you just have to place the applicator on your arm and press.
The result in our test was excellent. Abbott Libre Sense remained firmly anchored to the arm, without pain or problems of any kind. We have particularly sensitive skin and for the first few minutes the adhesive with which it adheres to the skin bothered us a little. As soon as we got used to the sensation, we found ourselves forgetting we had applied it: after wearing it for a while, you will not feel it anymore.
Discount
FREESTYLE OPTIUM NEO GLUCOSE AND KETONE METER
- Accurate blood glucose and ketone test. Analysis Indicators show when blood glucose has ...
The biosensor: comfort and ease of use
Libre Sense is comfortable to wear. On the first day we took special care not to remove it by showering after a run or while undressing. The other 13 the problem we have no longer posed. We sweated and wet our arm, we scrambled it by taking off and putting on our clothes. To be honest we even hit each other a couple of times: if you don't want to take it off, it won't come off.
The only times we remembered having it was when the Supersapiens app advised us to redo the scan to connect the phone or when we wanted to show someone our new product. In all fairness, we thought it might bother us during the triceps exercises but it didn't. People more muscular than us may perhaps become aware of Libre Sense while exercising but we doubt it will bother.
Supersapiens app: data collection and analysis
How the Supersapiens app works
To read the data collected with Libre Sense, Abbott relied on Supersapiens. The smartphone application is available for both Android that for iOS. Supersapiens also provides the FAQ, which we find very complete. At first we had trouble registering the application, which the support team got it sorted in no time. We then realized that we could have done without contacting them: the problem was with the smartphone. In fact, we have tried with other devices as well everything works perfectly.
Download
QR-Code
Supersapiens
Developer:
Tt1 Products, Inc
Price:
Free
Download
QR-Code
Supersapiens
Developer:
TT1 Products, Inc
Price:
Free
To register the Supersapiens account, it asks for a lot of data. Besides weight e height (standard for sports wearables apps) also asks for race (we would have preferred another translation from English), current physical activity level and diet (e.g. Mediterranean). To register the sensor just press "couple the new biosensor”From any screen.
The coupling was very fast. At this point a timer starts: after one hour Libre Sense is active. When we had to connect the sensor again (which registers up to 7 hours of data without needing to be paired) at times we have had to try more than once to bring it closer to the device. This part of thesoftware experience is not perfect but we believe it can be fixed with a future update. All in all it is satisfactory.
Accuracy of the data collected
On the main screen you see a graph of glucose in the body, with the gray band indicating the range of values to be in. During sleep and sports activity, the blood sugar drops, to rise during mealtimes. In the section Insights you can see how much you spend in the various glycemic zones and how much the level varies during the day. You can also see the averages for the week, the month and even beyond. The section Learn allows you to read interesting material on the relationship between glucose in the body and sport, giving you an idea of what goals to set.
We did not compare the data read with a medical device because this is not the goal that Abbott sets himself with Libre Sense. We have verified the peaks during meals, which differ according to the amount of carbohydrates consumed and their relationship to the meal. We have seen how prolonged training leads to a drop in blood sugar.
The blood glucose map drawn by Libre Sense it cannot act as a medical aid but offers a minute-by-minute analysis, interesting for those who train. Another way to get to know your body.
Abbott Libre Sense review: is it worth buying?
Sports technology is increasingly sophisticated: biosensors are no longer exclusive products for Olympic athletes but help to athletes of all levels. Know your glycemic intake it can also help those who do not play competitive sports. It allows you to manage yourself better during a mountain hike, a long run or a sustained bike ride.
Abbott Libre Sense: Prices and Packages
Il price however it could make a difference for amateurs. The Trial Package, which contains two biosensors and therefore lasts a month, costs 160 €. The Training package the 420 euro, contains six sensors and lasts for three months. Alternatively, you can take Abbott Libre Sense by subscription, with charges every 28 days from 130 € (thus saving 30 euros per month). Find all the offers at this address.
At these figures, amateurs might consider testing the Trial Pack to have some basic values to refer to. On the other hand, those who train to prepare long-distance races and bicycle races can have a important ally in Abbott's biosensor, to be taken by subscription. The biosensor does exactly what it's advertised: if it's worth buying, you have to decide based on the price and how much you train.
Abbott Libre Sense
Pro 
- Comfortable
- Resistant
- I need
Cons 
- Cost for amateurs
More on Libre Sense and technology applied to sport
Want to know more about Libre Sense or the technological devices used to track athletic performance? We have what you need.
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