Improving blood sugar control through timed high-intensity exercise

Restoring 24-hour Substrate Rhythmicity to Improve Glycemic Control by Timing of Lifestyle Factors

This study tests if doing high-intensity exercise at certain times of the day can help people with prediabetes better control their blood sugar and improve their insulin sensitivity.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 48 (estimated)
• Ages: 45 Years to 75 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Université de Sherbrooke (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Sherbrooke, Quebec)
• Trial ID: NCT05123963 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates how the timing of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can enhance metabolic health in individuals with prediabetes. Participants will undergo a 12-week supervised exercise program, with metabolic assessments conducted before and after the intervention using advanced imaging techniques. The goal is to determine if exercising at specific times of the day can optimize blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity. Continuous glucose and blood pressure monitoring will be employed to track changes throughout the study.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults with prediabetes, characterized by specific fasting and postprandial glucose levels, and a BMI over 25 kg/m2.

Not a fit: Patients with overt cardiovascular disease or those on medications affecting metabolism may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to improved glycemic control and reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes in prediabetic individuals.

How similar studies have performed: Preliminary studies have shown promising results regarding the timing of exercise and its effects on glucose metabolism, suggesting that this approach may be effective.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Pre-diabetes:

  * Fasting plasma glucose: 6.1 to 6.9 mmol/L or
  * 2-hour plasma glucose post 75g OGTT: 7.8 to 11.0 mmol/L and
  * HbA1c: 6.0 to 6.4%
  * or Insulin resistant: glucose clearance rate ≤ 360 ml/kg/min as determined using the Oral Glucose Insulin Sensitivity Index at Time 120 min.
* BMI \> 25 kg/m2
* To be willing and able to adhere to the specifications of the protocol;
* To have signed an informed consent document indicating that they understood the purpose of and procedures required for the study and were willing to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* overt cardiovascular disease as assessed by medical history, physical exam, and abnormal ECG
* Treatment with any drug known to affect lipid or carbohydrate metabolism, except statins (to be stopped 3 weeks prior to study A), metformin or anti-hypertensive drugs (to be stopped 7 days prior to the studies);
* presence of liver or renal disease other than uncomplicated NASH or mild isolated proteinuria; uncontrolled thyroid disorder;
* Uncontrolled severe hypertension, systolic pressure ≥ 180 mm Hg or diastolic pressure ≥ 110 mm Hg;
* History of ischemic heart disease, tachyarrhythmia, QT interval prolongation, risk factors for torsade de pointes (eg hypokalemia), or taking any medication known to prolong the QT interval;
* History of serious gastrointestinal disorders (malabsorption, peptic ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux requiring surgery, etc.);
* Presence of a pacemaker;
* Having undergone a PET study or CT scan in the past year;
* Any contraindication to stopping statins for 3 months and stopping an anti-hypertensive medication and metformin for 7 days;
* smoking (\>1 cigarette/day) and/or consumption of \>2 alcoholic beverages per day;
* No blood donation two month prior the study;
* prior history or current fasting plasma cholesterol level \> 7 mmol/l or fasting TG \> 6 mmol/l.

Where this trial is running

Sherbrooke, Quebec

• Centre de recherche du CHUS — Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Denis P. Blondin, PhD — Université de Sherbrooke
• Study coordinator: Frédérique Frisch

Conditions Prediabetic State; Postprandial metabolism; High-intensity interval training