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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether a simple activity, such as one minute of stair stepping, can reduce blood sugar levels after meals. Participants will alternate between stair-stepping after meals and not exercising on other days to determine if this activity makes a difference. It suits individuals who can easily climb stairs and are not on variable-dose glycemic medications (which affect blood sugar levels). The trial aims to identify if and how this exercise impacts blood sugar based on different meals. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the opportunity to contribute to understanding the impact of simple exercises on blood sugar levels.

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 prior data suggests that stair stepping is safe for reducing postprandial hyperglycemia?

Research shows that short bursts of stair climbing are generally safe for most people. Studies have found that this type of exercise can lower blood sugar levels after meals without causing harm. One study discovered that climbing stairs for a few minutes improved blood sugar and insulin levels. Although this trial focuses on just one minute of stair stepping, similar activities have been well-tolerated. Therefore, joining a trial like this is unlikely to pose significant safety risks. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the stair-stepping exercise for postprandial hyperglycemia because it offers a simple, drug-free approach to managing blood sugar levels after meals. Unlike medications that often focus on long-term blood sugar control, stair-stepping provides immediate benefits by using physical activity to lower blood sugar spikes shortly after eating. This method is accessible to almost anyone and can be easily integrated into daily routines, potentially offering a more natural and cost-effective way to manage post-meal glucose levels without the side effects associated with pharmacological treatments.

What evidence suggests that stair stepping is effective for reducing postprandial hyperglycemia?

Research has shown that using stairs can help lower blood sugar levels after eating. One study found that just one minute of going up and down stairs improved blood sugar and insulin levels post-meal. Another study demonstrated that short stair climbing can reduce the usual rise in blood sugar that occurs when sitting after eating. This activity is easy and convenient, making it a good option for managing blood sugar levels after meals. In this trial, participants will alternate between stair-stepping and no exercise to assess the impact on postprandial blood sugar levels. Specifically, in people with type 2 diabetes, a brief session of stair climbing also lowered blood sugar levels after eating. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

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

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10987319/

One minute of stair climbing and descending reduces ...

Postprandial glucose and insulin improved with 1 minute, and insulin resistance improved with 3 minutes, of SCD at a self-selected, comfortable pace.

2.

nature.com

nature.com/articles/s41598-024-77827-3

Short-term effects of brief stair climbing interruptions on ...

In our study, the increased postprandial glucose levels following postprandial sedentary behavior are found to be attenuated with stair climbing ...

3.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0939475320302490

A single one-minute, comfortable paced, stair-climbing ...

This highlights short, single-bout stair stepping as a simple, convenient, cheap, and effective form of activity to mitigate postprandial glucose responses.

4.

withpower.com

withpower.com/trial/phase-hyperglycemia-1-2023-2fad2

Stair Stepping Exercise for Postprandial Hyperglycemia

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 ...

5.

mdpi.com

mdpi.com/2813-0413/2/2/18

The Chronic Effect of Stair Climbing–Descending ...

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

6.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10656261/

Stair-climbing interventions on cardio-metabolic outcomes in ...

Stair climbing improves aerobic capacity (8–33 ml kg/min) and serum biomarkers by ≈9–15 %. A minimum of 4–8 weeks are necessary to alter cardiometabolic risk.

7.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0939475321005147

Three minutes of moderate-intensity stair walking improves ...

Moderate intensity stair stepping exercise lasting 3 and 10 min decreased both blood glucose and insulin (Fig. 1A and B). No changes were observed with 1 min of ...

8.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5300809/

Repeated 3-minute stair climbing-descending exercise ...

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

9.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05617157

Effects of Stair Stepping on Late Day Postprandial Glycemia

This study will help to identify the shortest possible bout of exercise that is still effective in significantly reducing postprandial blood glucose using a ...