Acute effects of different "exercise snacking'' modalities on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundImpaired glycemic control, a sedentary lifestyle and diabetes related consequences are common challenges faced by experts and individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Although regular exercise has been shown to improve glycemic control in individuals with T2DM, conventional exercise recommendations are not always feasible for patients due to time constraints. Therefore, "exercise snacking'', which involves short bouts of exercise interspersed throughout the day, has emerged as a potential alternative to traditional exercise regimes. However, optimal intensity, amount, frequency and/or type of "exercise snacking'' for individuals with T2DM remains unclear. The purpose of this three-arm randomized crossover study is to examine the acute effects of different "exercise snacking" modalities on cardiometabolic factors and mental health.MethodsTen sedentary patients (five males and five females, age range: 18-45 years; body mass index (BMI) range: 25-35 kg/m2) diagnosed with T2DM without additional diseases will be recruited. In this crossover study, participants will receive all of the following interventions in a random order: (1) three short sessions of 6 x 1 min of cycling at 90% of maximal heart rate (HRmax) (2) three short sessions of 1 x 20 s of "all out'' sprints at cycle ergometer and (3) no intervention. Glycemic parameters, blood pressure, rate of perceived extraction (RPE), adverse events, enjoyment and affect will be evaluated before and directly after each intervention.DiscussionThe results of this acute study have great potential to inform future public health efforts designed to improve glycemic control, increase exercise rates and affect overall health in individuals with T2DM.Trial registrationThe study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06146036) registred on 18 December, 2023.