Stair Stepping Exercise for Postprandial Hyperglycemia

Overseen By Jeff Moore, MS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: San Diego State University

Must not be taking: Glycemic medications

Disqualifiers: None

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 10 days

35 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether one minute of stair stepping at a comfortable pace can reduce blood sugar after meals. The main objectives of the study are: Compare continuously measured post-meal glucose after stair-stepping to control condition Compare continuously measured post-meal glucose after stair-stepping between meals Assess interaction between condition and meal to determine if the effect of stair-stepping on post-meal glucose depends on meal Participants will be in the study for 10 days and will be asked to: Wear a continuous glucose monitor over the course of the study Perform either one minute of comfortable pace stair stepping 15 min after each meal OR no exercise 1 hour after eating a meal on alternating days Perform a dietary recall every two days Perform no exercise within one hour after each meal on any day during the study Consume no calories within one hour after each meal during the study

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop your current medications, but you cannot participate if you take glycemic medications that vary in dosage from meal to meal or day to day.

What safety data exists for stair stepping exercise in managing postprandial hyperglycemia?

The studies reviewed indicate that short bouts of stair climbing-descending exercise are generally safe and effective in reducing postprandial blood glucose levels in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance, pre-diabetes, and type 2 diabetes. The exercise is described as easy to perform, with moderate intensity, and does not report any adverse safety concerns. Cardiometabolic measurements during exercise showed moderate intensity levels, and the exercise was well-tolerated by participants, including both males and females. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is stair stepping a promising treatment for lowering blood sugar after meals?

Yes, stair stepping is a promising treatment for lowering blood sugar after meals. Research shows that even short sessions of stair climbing can significantly reduce blood sugar levels in people with conditions like pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. It's an easy and effective way to manage blood sugar. ^{2 3 4 5 6}

What data supports the idea that Stair Stepping Exercise for Postprandial Hyperglycemia is an effective treatment?

The available research shows that stair stepping exercise can effectively lower blood sugar levels after meals. One study found that a short session of stair climbing and descending, lasting about 6 minutes, helped reduce blood sugar levels in middle-aged men with impaired glucose tolerance. Another study demonstrated that even a brief period of stair exercise significantly lowered blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Additionally, research comparing different exercise types found that stair stepping was effective in reducing blood sugar spikes after meals, similar to other forms of exercise like walking. Overall, these studies suggest that stair stepping is a convenient and effective way to manage blood sugar levels after eating. ^{2 3 4 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults aged 18-65 who have access to stairs and can climb them. It's not suitable for those on insulin or other blood sugar medications that change with meals.

Inclusion Criteria

I can go up and down stairs without help.

I have access to stairs.

Exclusion Criteria

I adjust my diabetes medication based on my meals or daily needs.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 day

Treatment

Participants perform stair-stepping or no exercise on alternating days for 10 days while wearing a continuous glucose monitor

10 days

1 visit (in-person) for sensor removal and transmitter return

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

1 day

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• No exercise control
• Stair Stepping

Trial Overview The study tests if one minute of stair stepping after meals can lower post-meal blood sugar compared to no exercise. Participants will wear a glucose monitor, alternate between exercising and resting post-meals, and track their diet.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Stair-Stepping then Control Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants start with stair-stepping 15 minutes after meals on day 1 followed by no exercise on day 2. Sequence continues throughout the 10 days.

Group II: Control then Stair-Stepping Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants start with no exercise on day 1 followed by stair-stepping 15 minutes after meals on day 2. Sequence continues throughout the 10 days.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

San Diego State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

182

Recruited

119,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A brief 6-minute session of stair climbing and descending exercise can significantly lower blood glucose levels after meals in middle-aged men with impaired glucose tolerance.

This exercise is easy to perform and maintains a moderate intensity, making it a practical option for managing post-meal blood sugar spikes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A short bout of stair climbing-descending exercise attenuates postprandial hyperglycemia in middle-aged males with impaired glucose tolerance. Takaishi, T., Imaeda, K., Tanaka, T., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 16 participants with type 2 diabetes, performing short bouts of stair climbing and descending exercise (ST-EX) significantly lowered post-meal blood glucose levels compared to resting, particularly 150 minutes after the meal.

The ST-EX sessions not only reduced blood glucose levels but also showed a lower area under the curve for blood glucose response, indicating that this simple exercise method can effectively improve postprandial glucose control in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Stair climbing/descending exercise for a short time decreases blood glucose levels after a meal in people with type 2 diabetes. Honda, H., Igaki, M., Hatanaka, Y., et al.[2018]

Short bouts of stair climbing (1, 3, and 10 minutes) significantly reduced peak post-prandial blood glucose levels in adults after consuming glucose, with the 3 and 10-minute trials showing the most substantial reductions.

A single 1-minute session of stair climbing was effective in lowering peak glucose concentrations, but longer durations (3 and 10 minutes) provided even greater benefits, indicating that more extended physical activity can enhance glucose control after meals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reducing Glycemic Indicators with Moderate Intensity Stepping of Varied, Short Durations in People with Pre-Diabetes. Bartholomae, E., Johnson, Z., Moore, J., et al.[2019]

Postprandial glucose fluctuations are more closely linked to serious complications in type 2 diabetes, such as cardiovascular disease, than traditional measures like HbA1c and fasting glucose, highlighting the need for better therapies that target these fluctuations.

Exercise has been shown to effectively reduce postprandial glycemic excursions in individuals with type 2 diabetes within just a few days, suggesting it could be a key component in managing glycemic control, although the best exercise strategies and testing methods still require further research.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise and Postprandial Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes. Kearney, ML., Thyfault, JP.[2019]

Postprandial exercise significantly improves glycemic response after meals in patients with type 2 diabetes, as shown in a study with eight participants who performed various exercise types after breakfast.

Moderate intensity aerobic exercise (walking) and a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise provided the greatest reductions in post-meal blood sugar levels compared to other exercise sequences.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effect of Different Postprandial Exercise Types on Glucose Response to Breakfast in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. Bellini, A., Nicolò, A., Bulzomì, R., et al.[2021]

A study involving seven males with type 2 diabetes showed that brief stair climbing-descending exercises performed after meals significantly increased serum 1,5-anhydroglucitol levels by 11.5% over two weeks, indicating improved postprandial glycemic control.

However, after stopping the exercise for two weeks, the benefits were not maintained, suggesting that regular postprandial exercise is necessary to sustain its positive effects on blood sugar levels.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Repeated 3-minute stair climbing-descending exercise after a meal over 2 weeks increases serum 1,5-anhydroglucitol levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Honda, H., Igaki, M., Hatanaka, Y., et al.[2020]

In a study involving 30 young adults, both males and females effectively lowered their postprandial blood glucose levels after performing 10 minutes of self-selected stair climbing and descending (SCD) exercise, despite females having higher blood glucose levels throughout the trials.

The results suggest that previous conflicting findings regarding sex differences in exercise's effect on blood glucose may stem from using absolute workloads rather than considering relative exercise intensities, as both sexes benefited equally from the SCD intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sex differences in the acute effect of stair-climbing on postprandial blood glucose levels: A randomized controlled trial. Moore, JM., Vinoskey, C., Salmons, H., et al.[2022]

Moderate intensity stair stepping exercise for 3 minutes significantly reduces post-meal blood glucose and insulin levels, indicating a beneficial effect on glycemic response.

A longer duration of 10 minutes of stair stepping is necessary to improve insulin sensitivity, highlighting the importance of exercise duration for metabolic health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Three minutes of moderate-intensity stair walking improves glucose and insulin but not insulin sensitivity or total antioxidant capacity. Moore, J., Bartholomae, EM., Ward, K., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A short bout of stair climbing-descending exercise attenuates postprandial hyperglycemia in middle-aged males with impaired glucose tolerance. [2022]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Stair climbing/descending exercise for a short time decreases blood glucose levels after a meal in people with type 2 diabetes. [2018]

3. Turkey pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reducing Glycemic Indicators with Moderate Intensity Stepping of Varied, Short Durations in People with Pre-Diabetes. [2019]

4. United Arab Emirates pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise and Postprandial Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes. [2019]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effect of Different Postprandial Exercise Types on Glucose Response to Breakfast in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. [2021]

6. Japan pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Repeated 3-minute stair climbing-descending exercise after a meal over 2 weeks increases serum 1,5-anhydroglucitol levels in people with type 2 diabetes. [2020]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sex differences in the acute effect of stair-climbing on postprandial blood glucose levels: A randomized controlled trial. [2022]

8. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Three minutes of moderate-intensity stair walking improves glucose and insulin but not insulin sensitivity or total antioxidant capacity. [2022]