Bodyweight Interval Exercise in the Fed Versus Fasted State

Following the acquisition of informed consent via videoconferencing, eligibility to participate in the study will be determined using questionnaires. If inclusion criteria is met, participants will undergo virtual exercise familiarization by following a pre-recorded instructional video.

Eligible participants will be assigned, in a random order, to two metabolic trials at least 3 days apart in the follicular phase of the same menstrual cycle. These visits will be online with an investigator on videoconferencing. The two trials involve: 1) Exercise followed by breakfast; and 2) Breakfast followed by exercise.

Various outcomes will be measured throughout the metabolic trials including: blood sugar, fat oxidation and appetite. All research tools needed to acquire these methods will be delivered to participants' place of residence.

Inclusion criteria

• Females 18-35 years
• Recreationally active (complete <150 min of exercise 1-3 days per week) and not training for any specific sport
• Experiencing monthly menstrual periods (eumenorrheic)
• Are not currently on oral contraceptives, or are taking triphasic oral contraceptives
• Body mass index (BMI) ≥18.5 kg/m2 and ≤30 kg/m2
• Regular consumption of a breakfast meal (solid and liquid meals apply) most (≥ 4) days of the week
• Have a device compatible for use with study applications (e.g., smart phone)

Exclusion criteria

• Inability to safely perform physical activity as determined by the Get Active Questionnaire
• Not willing to consume the standardized test drink before and after exercise
• Sensitive to meal timing around exercise (e.g., gastrointestinal issues if exercise performed 10 min after the start of meal consumption or if a meal is consumed 5 min after exercise)
• Inability to adhere to pre-trial protocol guidelines (e.g., caffeine or alcohol restrictions)
• Physical limitations for bodyweight exercise
• Are on monophasic or biphasic oral contraceptives
• Regular tobacco or cannabis use (e.g., recreational and/or medical cannabis, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vape pens, JUUL)
• Regular use of drugs that may alter metabolism (e.g., corticosteroids, nSAIDs)
• Diagnosed medical condition under the care of care of a physician (e.g., type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease) Currently enrolled in a course with Dr. Gillen