Improving postprandial hyperglycemia in prediabetic, sedentary office workers with immediately post-lunch, intermediate-intensity exercise: a comprehensive evaluation using a physical activity tracker, a dietary management application, and continuous glucose monitoring.

AIM/INTRODUCTION: This study investigated if immediately post-lunch exercise may improve postprandial hyperglycemia in individuals with prediabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study consisted of a control phase involving no exercise and an exercise phase involving exercise. During both phases, participants were assessed for their AUC, RCMC and %TITR using CGM-derived postprandial data; they were also assessed for physical activity using a physical activity tracker and for energy intake using a dietary management application.

RESULTS

Of the 43 males included, 23 were available for analysis. Their AUC values were significantly lower at post-lunch 1 h in the exercise phase than in the control phase with their %TITR values being significantly higher in the exercise phase than in the control phase. Their cumulative AUC values were significantly lower for post-lunch 2, 3, and 4 h in the exercise phase, with the cumulative %TITR values being also significantly higher. Their RCMC values were significantly lower for post-lunch 0-1 and 3-4 h, and significantly higher for post-lunch 1-2 h, in the exercise phase than in the control phase, with no difference for post-lunch 2-3 h between the phases. They exhibited monophasic or biphasic glucose profiles in the exercise phase with significantly different AUC and %TITR values for post-lunch 0-4 h, but no difference in HR reserve (HRR), energy intake or its composition.

CONCLUSION

In those with prediabetes, postprandial hyperglycemia improved with immediately post-lunch exercise, with significant improvements in cumulative AUC and %TITR values. Further study is required to clarify why they exhibited disparate glucose profiles.