The effect of bodyweight exercise on 24-h glycemic responses determined by continuous glucose monitoring in healthy inactive adults: a randomized crossover study

Sci Rep. 2023 Nov 28;13(1):20884. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-48063-y.

Abstract

Vigorous intermittent exercise can improve indices of glycemia in the 24 h postexercise period in apparently healthy individuals. We examined the effect of a single session of bodyweight exercise (BWE) on glycemic responses using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) under controlled dietary conditions. Healthy inactive adults (n = 27; 8 males, 19 females; age: 23 ± 3 years) completed 2 virtually supervised trials spaced ~ 1 week apart in a randomized, crossover manner. The trials involved an 11-min BWE protocol that consisted of 5 × 1-min bouts performed at a self-selected pace interspersed with 1-min active recovery periods or a non-exercise sitting control period (CON). Mean heart rate during the BWE protocol was 147 ± 14 beats per min (75% of age-predicted maximum). Mean 24 h glucose after BWE and CON was not different (5.0 ± 0.4 vs 5.0 ± 0.5 mM respectively; p = 0.39). There were also no differences between conditions for measures of glycemic variability or the postprandial glucose responses after ingestion of a 75 g glucose drink or lunch, dinner, and breakfast meals. This study demonstrates the feasibility of conducting a remotely supervised BWE intervention using CGM under free-living conditions. Future studies should investigate the effect of repeated sessions of BWE training or responses in people with impaired glycemic control.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring*
  • Blood Glucose*
  • Body Weight
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Diet
  • Exercise / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Postprandial Period / physiology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Blood Glucose