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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01997021

Effects of Interrupting Sedentary Time on Glycemic Control in Older Overweight and Obese Adults

Increasing physical activity in older adults has important implications for treating obesity related metabolic conditions, however the interaction of aging- and obesity-related declines in physical function may make adding structured exercise particularly challenging for this group. Given these challenges, an alternative prescription to traditional structured exercise, may be short bouts of intermittent walking scattered throughout the day - this may be an effective strategy to increase physical activity, reduce sedentary behavior, and improve glycemic control in overweight/obese older adults. The purpose of this project is to determine how interrupting sedentary time with short bouts of moderate intensity walking affects important metabolic outcomes in older, overweight adults. It would also be of interest to compare the effects of short, frequent interruptions in sedentary behavior to a traditional exercise prescription (continuous 30 min walking bout) on metabolic outcomes (e.g., glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and 24 h fat oxidation). Thus, the overall aims of the proposed research are to 1) Determine the effect of performing short bouts of moderate-intensity intermittent walking (IW) on glucose and insulin metabolism compared to uninterrupted sitting (US) in older overweight and obese adults. 2) To compare the effects of interrupting sedentary time (IW) vs. a traditional exercise prescription (continuous 30 m walk (CW)) on metabolism.

The investigators hypothesize that interrupting sedentary time with intermittent walking will improve glucose and insulin metabolism compared to uninterrupted sitting and it will be as effective at improving metabolism as a single continuous 30 min walk.

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Key information

Conditions

Metabolic Syndrome Aging Behavior Diabetes Diabetes Mellitus Endocrine System Diseases Glucose Metabolism Disorders Hyperinsulinism Insulin Resistance Metabolic Diseases Motor Activity Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Sedentary Behavior

Age range

60 year–85 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus

Aurora, Colorado, 80045, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 60-85 yr • BMI 25-35 kg.m-2
  • Non-exercisers (<150 m/wk of moderate intensity exercise)
  • Sedentary (>60% of waking day sedentary)
  • Able to walk on a treadmill for 36 continuous minutes at a pace of at least 2.0 mph

Exclusion criteria

  • Self-reported acute or chronic disease (e.g. diabetes, heart disease, thyroid disease)
  • Fasting plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg/dl - participants will not be excluded if they an abnormal post prandial glucose levels (e.g. glucose ≥ 200 mg/dl) following the MTT's.
  • Tobacco use (cigarettes, cigars, or chewing tobacco) within the past 6 months
  • Females who previously used (> 6 months) or are currently using any formulation of estrogen-based hormone therapy (e.g., oral Premarin, transdermal 17-estradiol, selective estrogen receptor modulators).
  • Resting diastolic blood pressure > 100 mm mercury or resting systolic blood pressure > 160 mm mercury
  • Contra-indications to exercise (e.g. orthopedic limitations)
  • Unable to walk on a treadmill for 36 continuous minutes at a pace of at least 2.0 mph

Treatment and study plan

US

Other

US is a 5-hour intervention/condition where participants will be required to sit quietly for 5 consecutive hours.

Other names: Uninterrupted sitting

IW

Other

IW is a 24-hour intervention/condition where participants interrupt sedentary time with short 1.5 minute walking bout.

Other names: Intermittent Walking

CW

Other

CW is a 24-hour intervention/condition where participants perform a 36 minute continuous walking bout and are seated the remainder of the time.

Other names: Continuous Walking

Primary outcomes

  1. Incremental area under the glucose curve in response to meal tolerance test (MTT)

    Time frame: Hourly for 5 hours after meal is consumed

    Meal tolerance test is performed during uninterrupted sitting condition and during intermittent walking condition. Glucose area under the curve (AUC) is compared between conditions.

  2. Area under the insulin curve in response to meal tolerance test

    Time frame: Hourly for 5 hours after meal is consumed

    Meal tolerance test is performed during uninterrupted sitting condition and during intermittent walking condition. Insulin AUC is compared between conditions.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Postprandial glycemia in response to meal tolerance test

    Time frame: Continuously for 5 hours after meal is consumed

    Postprandial glycemia (PPG) will be measured using a continuous glucose monitor. Peak PPG, rate of change in peak PPG and duration of hyperglycemia will be calculated. Meal tolerance test will be performed during uninterrupted sitting condition and during intermittent walking condition. PPG will be compared between conditions.

  2. Insulin sensitivity

    Time frame: Immediately post 24 hr intermittent walking and continuous walking conditions

    Insulin sensitivity will be measured using a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. IS will be assessed after intermittent walking condition and after continuous walk condition. IS will be compared between conditions.

  3. 24-hr Fat Oxidation

    Time frame: Continuously during 24 hr intermittent walking and continuous walking conditions

    Fat oxidation will be measured in a whole room indirect calorimeter during the intermittent walking condition and during the continuous walk condition. Fat oxidation will be compared between conditions.

  4. 24-hour Glycemic variability

    Time frame: Continuously during 24 hr intermittent walking and continuous walking conditions

    Glycemic variability will be measured using a continuous glucose monitor during the intermittent walking condition and during the continuous walk condition. Glycemic variability will be compared between conditions.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Colorado, Denver

Other

Registry information

Acronym: B-WELL

Important dates

Study start
2013
Primary completion
2014
Study completion
2014
First posted
Nov 27, 2013
Registry last updated
Aug 24, 2021

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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