The Effects of Exercise Snacks on Endothelial Function and Body Composition in Overweight Individuals

This is a parallel group randomized controlled trial, with the study subjects being overweight or obese adults (with a body mass index of ≥ 24 kg/m²). Participants will be recruited from universities and randomly assigned to one of the following four groups:

Short-term stair climbing exercise group Participants climbed the stairs 4 to 5 times a day, each time ascending 5 floors (approximately 1 minute each time). There was at least a 1-hour interval between each exercise session, and the exercises were carried out during daily activities. They exercised 3 to 5 times a week for 6 to 8 weeks.

Long-term stair climbing nutrition supplementation group The participants also conducted 4 to 5 stair climbing training sessions every day. Each training session consisted of 3 sets of climbing 5 floors (the total climbing height for each training session was 15 floors), with a rest period of no more than 1 minute between each set. The interval between two training sessions was no less than 1 hour. They exercised 3 to 5 times a week for 6 to 8 weeks.

Moderate-intensity continuous training group (MICT) Participants engaged in 30-minute moderate-intensity running (including warm-up and cool-down activities) each time, 3 to 5 times a week, for 6 to 8 weeks.

Control group Participants maintained their daily activities and did not receive any exercise intervention measures.

Result measurement indicators:

Vascular health: Assessing endothelial function through ultrasound measurement of flow-mediated vascular dilation (FMD).

Body composition: Measured using the InBody body bioelectrical impedance analyzer (including muscle mass, fat mass and body fat percentage).

Blood lipid test: Collect fasting blood samples and measure low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol (TC).

Measurement time points: Measurements were conducted at the baseline (at the beginning of the study), 3-4 weeks (during the intervention period), and 8 weeks (after the intervention ended).

This research protocol has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of Shandong Second Medical University. All participants are required to sign a written informed consent form.

Inclusion criteria

• Age: 18-35 years old (male, female);
• Clear consciousness, stable vital signs;
• Able to understand and follow simple instructions;
• No regular exercise for at least 3 months;
• BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2.

Exclusion criteria

• There are other serious diseases, such as tumors;
• There are other neurological diseases;
• There are serious diseases that simultaneously affect the heart, liver, kidneys, endocrine system or hematopoietic system;
• There is a history of alcohol or drug abuse;
• Participated in other clinical trials that might affect the results of this study;
• There are other neurological or musculoskeletal diseases, with pain worsening with exercise;
• It is forbidden to engage in physical training.
• Within the past 3 months, there have been acute cardiovascular events such as acute myocardial infarction,unstable angina pectoris, severe arrhythmia, acute heart failure, etc.；
• Uncontrolled hypertension；
• Severe pulmonary diseases, such as uncontrolled asthma, acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease with significant exercise limitation；
• Severe joint and bone diseases, acute soft tissue injuries, fractures that have not healed, etc., making it impossible to complete the prescribed exercise load；
• Presence of bleeding tendencies, coagulation dysfunction, or within the past 1 month, there has been major bleeding or a history of surgery；
• The investigator judges that there are any other situations that may affect the safety of the subjects or the results of the trial.