12-week exercise-snacks program for adults with obesity

Efficacy of Exercise Snacks in Real-World Settings in Individuals Living With Obesity

This trial will try a 12-week program of short, hard bodyweight 'exercise snacks' delivered by an app to see if it improves fitness and cardiometabolic health in inactive adults with obesity.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 80 (estimated)
• Ages: 35 Years to 64 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of British Columbia (other)
• Locations: 2 sites (Kelowna, British Columbia and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT06924346 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized, controlled 12-week study compares a technology-delivered exercise-snacks program (brief bouts of vigorous bodyweight exercise) with a low-intensity placebo exercise program. Participants use a customized mobile app or web platform and are asked to perform at least four one-minute exercise bouts per day on at least five days per week, with interventions tailored to individual fitness, preferences, and physical limitations. A research assistant provides brief behavior-change counselling and documents any musculoskeletal issues before starting, and outcome testing is done at baseline and after 12 weeks. The trial focuses on feasibility and preliminary effects on cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiometabolic markers in previously inactive adults living with obesity.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 35–64 with BMI in the specified obese ranges who are habitually inactive (<150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous activity), not current smokers, and cleared to exercise who have access to a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Not a fit: People with diagnosed cardiometabolic diseases, current smokers, those already meeting physical activity guidelines, or individuals unable to perform brief vigorous bodyweight exercises may not benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could offer a convenient, time-efficient way to improve fitness and cardiometabolic health for inactive adults with obesity.

How similar studies have performed: Short, high-intensity 'exercise snack' approaches have shown promise in small studies for improving fitness and metabolic markers, but larger and longer trials are still limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 35-64 years.
* Habitually engaging in \< 150 min moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week.
* Body mass index 30-45 kg/m2 or 27.5-45 for participants who self-identify as being of Asian or Southeast Asian origin.
* Waist circumference: \>88cm for females and \>102cm for males, or \>80 cm for females and \>90 cm for male participants who self-identify as being of Asian or Southeast Asian.
* Not currently diagnosed with a cardiometabolic disease (e.g., coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease).
* Taking ≤2 commonly prescribed medications for the prevention of cardiometabolic diseases (e.g., statins, antihypertensives).
* Not a current smoker
* Cleared to engage in physical activity using the Get Active Questionnaire and, if applicable, consultation with a health care provider or Qualified Exercise Professional.
* Access to a computer, tablet or smartphone for intervention delivery and tracking.
* Ability to read and write in English.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Chronic musculoskeletal condition or recent (within 2 years) cardiovascular event preventing participation in exercise.
* Lack of internet access.
* Angina upon exertion assessed by the Rose Angina Questionnaire.
* Prescribed beta-blockers that can compromise the validity of heart rate measurements. during the exercise test.
* Have a scheduled surgical procedure within the next 3-4 months that would prevent exercise participation.
* Currently participating in another clinical trial that interferes with the study procedures.
* Currently pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant during the intervention (i.e., within the next 4 months).
* Uncontrolled high blood pressure (\>160/90 mmHg)

Where this trial is running

Kelowna, British Columbia and 1 other locations

• University of British Columbia Okanagan — Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada (RECRUITING)
• McMaster University — Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Jonathan P Little, PhD

Conditions: Obesity