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

Обзор

This randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of two types of stair-climbing exercise snacks versus moderate-intensity continuous training on vascular health, body composition, and blood lipids in overweight or obese adults. Participants will be assigned to one of four groups for 6-8 weeks. The control group receives no exercise intervention. Primary outcomes include endothelial function (ultrasound), body composition (InBody), and lipid profile (blood test).

Подробное описание

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.

Вмешательства

• Поведенческое Short-term stair climbing exercise snack group
  Adopt a fragmented approach, climbing stairs 4-5 times a day, each time climbing 5 floors (approximately 1 minute per session), with at least 1 hour of interval between each session, and spread throughout the daily activity periods. Exercise 3-5 days per week for a total of 6-8 weeks.
• Поведенческое Long-duration stair climbing exercise snack group
  On the basis of climbing stairs 4 to 5 times a day, increase the single exercise volume: complete 2 or 3 sets of climbing 5 floors of stairs each time (that is, the total number of floors climbed each time is 10 or 15), with no more than 1 minute of rest between sets. The intervals between each exercise should be at least 1 hour. Exercise 3 to 5 days a week, for a total of 6 to 8 weeks of intervention.
• Поведенческое Moderate-intensity continuous exercise（MICT）
  Exercise 3 to 5 days per week for a total of 6 to 8 weeks. Perform 30 minutes of moderate-intensity running training every day.

Первичные конечные точки

• Flow-mediated dilation (FMD, relative percentage) [Срок оценки: Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).]
• Body fat mass [Срок оценки: Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).]
• Time to peak dilation [Срок оценки: Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).]
• Basal brachial artery diameter [Срок оценки: Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).]
• Peak brachial artery diameter [Срок оценки: Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).]
• Absolute flow-mediated dilation (FMDabs) [Срок оценки: Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).]
• Standardized FMD [Срок оценки: Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).]
• Body weight [Срок оценки: Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).]
• Body fat percentage [Срок оценки: Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).]
• Body mass index (BMI) [Срок оценки: Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).]

Вторичные конечные точки (8)

• Systolic blood pressure (SBP) [Срок оценки: Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).]
• Serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration [Срок оценки: Measured at baseline and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).]
• Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) [Срок оценки: Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).]
• Heart rate [Срок оценки: Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).]
• Serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentration [Срок оценки: Measured at baseline and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).]
• Serum total cholesterol concentration [Срок оценки: Measured at baseline and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).]
• HDL/LDL cholesterol ratio [Срок оценки: Measured at baseline and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).]
• Serum triglyceride concentration [Срок оценки: Measured at baseline and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).]

Критерии участия

Критерии включения

• 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.

Критерии исключения

• 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.

Критерии приведены из реестра в оригинале (на английском). Окончательную оценку соответствия проводит исследовательский центр.

Здоровые добровольцы: Нет

Дизайн исследования

Распределение

Рандомизированное

Модель

Параллельные группы

Маскирование

Простое слепое

Основная цель

Профилактика

Центры проведения

Список центров уточняется — проверьте первичный протокол.

Идентификаторы

NCT: NCT07558421 · 2026YX160

Первоисточники (государственные реестры)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (NIH, США)

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