Two-Week Stair-Climbing “Exercise Snacks” to Test Metabolic Health

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This pilot interventional study will test whether brief stair-climbing bouts spread across each day for 14 days can improve metabolic and cardiovascular health in adults with overweight or obesity. About 12 participants will complete baseline measurements, a two-week stair-climbing intervention, and post-intervention assessments at Saint Louis University, including continuous glucose monitoring and a standardized meal challenge. Outcomes will include postprandial glucose responses, aerobic and anaerobic fitness, body composition, waist circumference, and strength, along with adherence and perceived intensity. The study aims to assess short-term feasibility and potential health benefits of incorporating frequent brief activity into daily life.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 18-35 years and able to provide informed consent.
* Body mass index (BMI) 25.0-34.99 kg/m² and otherwise healthy, without chronic disease.
* Sedentary or low-active lifestyle, defined as no regular structured exercise ≥3 days/week for ≥30 minutes per session during the past 3 months.
* Access to a safe staircase that permits completion of approximately 60 total stair steps per exercise bout. Approximately 60 upward steps are preferred when available; one or more flights may be used repeatedly if needed.
* No contraindications or increased-risk findings identified on the PAR-Q+ or health history screening.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Known cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, renal, neurological, or musculoskeletal disease, or signs or symptoms suggesting increased risk during vigorous exercise, including diagnosed diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, chronic pulmonary disease, kidney disease, fainting or unexplained dizziness during exercise, chest pain with exertion, or severe shortness of breath with mild-to-moderate activity.
* Current use of medications that may affect exercise tolerance, heart-rate response, balance, glucose metabolism, or safety during vigorous exercise, including insulin or other glucose-lowering medications, beta-blockers, anti-arrhythmic medications, systemic corticosteroids, or medications that may cause dizziness, impaired balance, or altered exercise response.
* Orthopedic or joint conditions that could be aggravated by repeated stair climbing.
* Allergy, intolerance, dietary restriction, or other condition preventing safe consumption of the standardized meal replacement shake.
* Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant during the study period.
* Any other medical or psychological condition that, in the investigator's judgment, could make adherence difficult or place the participant at risk.
* Individuals currently enrolled in a course taught by the PI or other study personnel, or who are directly supervised, graded, or formally evaluated by a member of the study team.

Where it's running

• Saint Louis University
  St Louis, Missouri, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Hossein Rafiei, PhD, RD — St. Louis University
• Study coordinator: Hossein Rafiei, PhD, RD
• Email: hossein.rafiei@health.slu.edu
• Phone: 314-977-8675

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Semaglutide on body composition in adults with type 1 diabetes and overweight/obesity

  This study tests whether weekly semaglutide changes body composition in adults with type 1 diabetes who are overweight or obese, compared with a placebo over 24 weeks.

  Recruiting Phase 2/3 McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre · Montreal, Quebec · NCT07891156

• UBT37034 Injection safety study in adults with overweight or obesity

  This study tests different doses of UBT37034 injections to see if they are safe and tolerable in adults who are overweight or have obesity.

  Recruiting Phase 1 The United Bio-Technology (Hengqin) Co., Ltd. · Changsha, Hunan · NCT07873645

• Tegileridine for pain after bariatric surgery

  This phase 3 trial tests tegileridine vs standard opioid medicine to see if it provides good pain relief after bariatric surgery while considering sleep apnea status.

  Recruiting Phase 3 The First Hospital of Jilin University · Changchun, Jilin · NCT07844512

• Weight-loss maintenance with ALV-100 after prior weight loss

  This study tests whether ALV-100 helps adults who already lost weight with incretin therapies keep the weight off, compared with placebo.

  Recruiting at 20 sites Phase 2 Alveus Therapeutics, Inc. · Birmingham, Alabama and 19 other locations · NCT07837973

• Dietary guidelines-based eating plan to reduce menopausal symptoms in overweight and obese women

  A randomized trial will test whether following healthy eating guidance from Brazil’s dietary guidelines can lessen menopausal symptoms in women who are overweight or obese.

  Recruiting Federal University of Health Science of Porto Alegre · Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul · NCT07822230

• MWN105 injection in overweight or obese adults you may join

  This early-phase trial tests whether MWN105 is safe and tolerable in overweight or obese adults in China, using a placebo comparison.

  Recruiting Phase 1 Shanghai Minwei Biotechnology Co., Ltd · Kunming, Yunnan · NCT07803809

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.