The Acute Effect of Moderate Intensity Stair-Climbing on Postprandial Blood Glucose

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of moderate intensity stair-climbing of various durations on postprandial glucose response in healthy men and women. The postprandial glucose response is strongly associated with cardiometabolic disease risk. METHODS: Twenty males (26.8±6.0y) and fourteen females (24.8±4.5y) completed a 75g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). On three subsequent visits, participants completed an OGTT combined with either 1min, 3min, or 10min of stair-climbing, all ending 28 min after subjects finished the drink. Fingerstick blood glucose measurements were taken at baseline and every fifteen minutes thereafter for one hour. RESULTS: All stair-climbing trials reduced peak (30 min) postprandial blood glucose levels compared to the control (12±31 to 35±30mg/dL, p≤.001-.038). At the 45min time point, there were significant reductions compared to the control for the 3 and 10min trials (11±29 and 23±30mg/dL, p=.037 and p≤.001), but not between 1min and control (2±33mg/dL, p=.701). No significant differences exist in BG between any trials at baseline, 15, or 60min time point (Δ=-0.3- 5.1mg/dL, p=.391-.882). There were significant differences in AUC compared to the control for the 3min and 10min trials (436±1126and 896±1108mg/ dL*min, p=.036 and p≤.001) but not for the 1min (272±1112mg/dL*min, p=.177). For iAUC, there were significant differences compared to the control for the 3 min and 10 min trials (424±1124 and 901±903mg/dL*min, p=.038 and ≤.001) but not for the 1 min (107±918mg/dL*min, p=.509). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate intensity stair-climbing bouts as short as one minute in duration are effective at attenuating peak postprandial blood glucose with longer bouts producing more substantial benefits.