Exercise timing to improve insulin sensitivity in pre-diabetic individuals

Timing Exercise Training as Strategy to Improve Insulin Sensitivity and Substrate Metabolism in Men and Woman With Pre-diabetes

Not applicable Interventional Maastricht University Medical Center · NCT06014684

This study is testing if exercising in the afternoon helps people with pre-diabetes improve their insulin sensitivity better than exercising in the morning.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment24 (estimated)
Ages40 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
SponsorMaastricht University Medical Center Academic / other
Locations1 site (Maastricht, Limburg)
Trial IDNCT06014684 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates whether exercising in the afternoon is more effective than morning exercise for improving insulin sensitivity in individuals with pre-diabetes. It is a randomized double-arm longitudinal intervention involving 24 participants, aged 40-75, who will be assigned to either morning or afternoon exercise sessions. The study aims to explore the underlying mechanisms of how exercise timing affects metabolic processes in pre-diabetic individuals. The findings could provide insights into optimizing exercise regimens for better health outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are men and postmenopausal women aged 40-75 with a BMI of 25-38 kg/m2 and diagnosed with pre-diabetes.

Not a fit: Patients with type 2 diabetes, severe health conditions, or those who do not meet the inclusion criteria will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to tailored exercise recommendations that significantly improve insulin sensitivity and metabolic health in pre-diabetic patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have indicated that exercise timing can influence metabolic outcomes, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 40-75 years.
* Body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2
* Male, or postmenopausal (at least 1 year post cessation of menses) female
* Pre-diabetes based on one or a combination of the following criteria:

  * Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT): plasma glucose values ≥ 7.8 mmol/l and ≤ 11.1 mmol/l 120 minutes after glucose drink consumption during OGTT in screening
  * ImpairedFastingGlucose(IFG):Fastingplasmaglucose≥6.1mmol/land≤6.9 mmol/l
  * Insulin Resistance: glucose clearance rate ≤ 360 mL/kg/min, as determined during the OGTT using OGIS120.
  * HbA1cof5.7-6.4%

Exclusion Criteria:

* Type 2 diabetes
* Patients with active congestive heart failure and and/or severe renal and or liver insufficiency
* Uncontrolled hypertension
* Any contra-indication for MRI scanning
* Alcohol consumption of \>3 servings per day for man and \>2 servings per day for woman
* Smoking
* Unstable body weight (weight gain or loss \> 5kg in the last 3 months)
* Previous enrolment in a clinical study with an investigational product during the last 3 months or as judged by the Investigator which would possibly hamper our study results.
* Medication use known to hamper subject's safety during the study procedures.
* Subjects who do not want to be informed about unexpected medical findings.
* Men: Hb \<8.0 mmol/L, Women: Hb \<7.0 mmol/l
* Heavily varying sleep-wake rhythm (i.e. night shift work and travels across time zones).
* Significant food allergies/intolerance (seriously hampering study meals)
* Blood donation during or within 2 months prior to the study

Where this trial is running

Maastricht, Limburg

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Pre-diabetesOverweight and Obesity
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.