Impact of Postprandial 'Exercise Snacks' on Protein and Glucose Metabolism Following a Period of Step Reduction in Older Adults

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO · Mar 30, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how short bursts of exercise, called 'exercise snacks,' can help older adults maintain their muscle and blood sugar health after a few days of reduced physical activity. Specifically, the study will compare the effects of doing less than 1,500 steps a day for three days, with and without these quick exercises, which involve standing up from a chair and raising your heels every 30 minutes.

To participate, you should be a healthy older adult aged between 60 and 80 years, with a body mass index (BMI) in the normal to overweight range. If you usually take pain relief medication (except for low-dose aspirin), drink alcohol during the study, or have certain health conditions, you may not qualify. Participants can expect to follow the study guidelines for a few days, and the research team will monitor how the exercise snacks affect their muscle and blood sugar levels. This study is important because it may help find new ways to keep older adults healthy and active, especially when they have to reduce their activity levels.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Healthy older (age: 60-80 y) adults
• • BMI between normal to overweight (18.5-29.9 kg/m2)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (with the exception of daily low-dose aspirin)
• • Alcohol consumption during the study period
• • Use of anticoagulants
• • Use of a walker, cane, or assistive walking device
• • Current or recently remised cancer
• • Infectious or gastrointestinal disease
• • Inability to comply with study protocol (e.g., \>1,500 steps/day during Step-Reduction Phase)
• • Regular tobacco use
• • Self-reported illicit drug use (e.g. growth hormone, testosterone, etc.)
• • Diagnosed chronic illness (e.g. type 2 diabetes, heart disease, thyroid disease)
• • Hormonal Replacement Therapy