Breaking up long periods of sitting to help control blood sugar levels in people at risk for diabetes

Breaking up sedentary behaviors to improve glucose control in a population at risk for developing type 2 diabetes

NIH-funded research University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11001499

This study is looking at whether taking short breaks to move around can help people with prediabetes keep their blood sugar levels in check, and it’s comparing this method to regular longer exercise sessions to see which works better.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Colorado Denver NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11001499 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how interrupting long periods of sitting with short bursts of physical activity can improve blood sugar control in individuals at risk for type 2 diabetes. The approach involves measuring the effects of these activity breaks on glucose levels, particularly in adults with prediabetes. By comparing traditional exercise methods with this novel strategy, the research aims to determine if shorter, more frequent activity can be more beneficial than longer sessions of exercise. Participants will engage in brief physical activities throughout the day to see if this helps manage their blood sugar levels more effectively.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, particularly those with prediabetes.

Not a fit: Patients who are not at risk for type 2 diabetes or those who do not have prolonged sedentary behaviors may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective strategy for preventing type 2 diabetes in at-risk populations.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in improving glucose control through similar approaches of breaking up sedentary time, indicating potential for success in this study.

Where this research is happening

Aurora, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions adult onset diabetesAdult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.