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

Last updated: July 11, 2023
Sponsor: University of Toronto
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Aging

Muscular Dystrophy

Sarcopenia

Treatment

Metabolic Trial

15 sit-to-stands with calf raises

Clinical Study ID

NCT05810272
ESPEN
  • Ages 60-80
  • All Genders
  • Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Summary

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of 3-days reduced physical activity (<1500 steps/day) with/without 'exercise snacks' (15 chair stands with calf raises every 30 min) on skeletal muscle metabolic health.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Healthy older (age: 60-80 y) adults
  • BMI between normal to overweight (18.5-29.9 kg/m2)

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (with the exception of dailylow-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-ReductionPhase)
  • 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

Study Design

Total Participants: 20
Treatment Group(s): 2
Primary Treatment: Metabolic Trial
Phase:
Study Start date:
April 01, 2023
Estimated Completion Date:
August 01, 2024

Study Description

Many adults gradually lose muscle size, strength, and function after the age of 50. These losses are believed to occur faster with periods of reduced activity (e.g., lower step counts or physical movement when sick or injured) and can be difficult to regain by merely returning to a previously normal activity status. Such periods of reduced activity can also impair the body's ability to use the nutrients in the food consumed (e.g., proteins and carbohydrates), which increases the risk of frailty, type 2 diabetes, and ultimately a reduced quality of life. It is important to identify strategies to prevent these losses in muscle size, strength, and function especially during periods of reduced activity.

Recently, our laboratory has found that performing repeated bodyweight chair squats (repeated sit-to-stands with a calf raise) during a single day of reduced activity improves the muscle's ability to use carbohydrates and proteins, which may be a viable strategy to offset the negative effects of step reduction on muscle health.

In this study, the investigators will assess whether completing bodyweight chair squats at regular intervals (i.e., 'exercise snacks') reduces the negative effects of step reduction on carbohydrate and protein metabolism following a meal. The investigators will determine the impact of 'exercise snacks' (15 chair stands with calf raises every 30 min) compared to seated rest on protein and carbohydrate metabolism following three days of step reduction. The investigators will also assess how these responses compare to those seen following three days of normal (i.e., habitual) activity.

Connect with a study center

  • Goldring Center for High Performance Sport

    Toronto, Ontario M5S 2C9
    Canada

    Active - Recruiting

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