Abstract
PURPOSE:
Postprandial hyperglycemia contributes to the development of chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus. While post-meal physical activity (PA) is known to reduce blood glucose (BG), it remains unclear whether certain modes of PA are more effective than others when matched for energy expenditure. This study aims to compare the BG-attenuating effects of two energetically equivalent postprandial modes of PA.
METHODS:
Eleven healthy adults completed three randomized sessions, consisting of a 75g oral glucose challenge and either walking, stepping, or rest. Each session’s PA lasted 15 minutes and occurred between 45–60 minutes post-ingestion, when BG typically peaks. During PA both heart rate and VO2 were monitored. A continuous glucose monitor recorded BG responses throughout sessions. During the first PA session, PA intensity was adjusted to maintain 30% heart rate reserve (HRR). During the second PA session, intensity was adjusted to maintain VO2 at an equivalent level as the first session. Data was analyzed using a two-way repeated-measures ANOVA to compare BG concentrations by PA intervention and time.
RESULTS:
Eleven participants completed the study (age: 28.0 ± 7.6; BMI: 28.5 ± 5.0). There were significant differences in the %HRR and relative VO2 across sessions, with both walking and stepping being elevated relative to the rest condition, but no differences between PA sessions. The repeated measures ANOVA showed no difference in session types (F=3.2, p=0.06), but significant changes in glucose over time (F=17.6, p<0.01), and a significant interaction (F=6.0, p<0.01). Pairwise comparisons of the 3 OGTTs showed no difference at: baseline, 0, 15, 30, 45, 105, nor 120 minutes. There were significant differences in glucose at minutes: 60, 75, and 90, but no differences between PA sessions at these times. At 60 and 75 minutes, both PA conditions were lower than the rest condition but only stepping remained significantly below rest at 90 minutes.
CONCLUSION:
The findings indicate no significant differences between walking and stepping in attenuating the post-challenge rise in BG when energy expenditure is matched. Both modes of PA were more effective than rest overall, suggesting that short-duration postprandial activity, regardless of mode, can benefit glycemic control.
Recommended Citation
Camacho, Tanathia; Mohan, Adam E.; Le, Thinh Mr.; Vazquez, Levi; and Oberlin, Douglas J. II
(2025)
"The Mode of Physical Activity Does Not Affect Post-Prandial Blood Glucose Attenuation When Metabolically Matched,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 15:
Iss.
7, Article 27.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol15/iss7/27