Effects of Exercise Snacks and Sprint Interval Training in Overweight Adults

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Cardiovascular Function; Cardiorespiratory Fitness

• Registration Number: NCT06849453
• Lead Sponsor: Beijing Sport University

Brief Summary

Exploring the efficacy and acceptability of exercise snacks (ES) and sprint interval training (SIT) could provide time-efficient, low-barrier alternatives for individuals, especially those who, due to 'lack of time, environment, and equipment,' struggle to meet traditional physical activity recommendations. This research aims to investigate the effects of ES and SIT, of equal exercise volume, on overweight adults.

Detailed Description

Engaging in regular physical activity has been shown to induce a range of beneficial physiological and psychological adaptations, including improved cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, cardiovascular function, and reductions in negative emotions. However, global participation rates in physical activity remain suboptimal, with little significant improvement. Interviews and surveys have identified several potential barriers to low physical activity levels, with limitations such as 'lack of time, equipment, and facilities' often cited as the main perceived obstacles. Therefore, exploring the minimum effective dose of exercise in real-world settings is essential.

This study will employ a randomized clinical trial to examine the effectiveness and acceptability of two low-volume, high-intensity stair climbing exercises in overweight adults. It adopts a single-blind, parallel randomized design, with the intervention commencing immediately after the initial evaluation and randomization, following a pre-treatment/post-test framework. Eligible participants were recruited via convenience sampling and randomly assigned to one of three groups (one control group and two experimental groups):

1. A control group that will not receive any treatment.

2. Two experimental groups (ES and SIT), which will undergo a stair climbing-based physical training program following the initial evaluation. The two exercise interventions are designed with equal exercise volume, with the only difference being the rest (recovery) time between stair sprints. All exercise sessions are conducted under the supervision of professionals.

The aim of this study is twofold: First, to explore the impact of ES and SIT on cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, and cardiovascular function in overweight adults. Second, to examine the acceptability of two low-volume, high-intensity stair climbing exercises by assessing participants' (1) acceptability, (2) reactions during the interventions, (3) enjoyment and affective valence during exercise, and (4) intentions at the end.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-02
• Study First Submitted: 2025-02-04
• Study Start: 2025-02-24
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-02-25
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-02-25
• Study First Posted: 2025-02-27
• Last Update Posted: 2025-02-27
• Primary Completion: 2025-08-31
• Study Completion: 2025-10-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 45

Inclusion Criteria

• Men and women aged between 18 and 35 years;
• Overweight but not obese (BMI ≥24 and ≤ 28 kg/m2);
• Physically inactive (3 or less bouts of purposeful exercise per week);
• Ability to understand the research details and voluntarily sign the informed consent form;
• Non-smoker (for >5 years);
• Body weight has been stable over the past six months, with no recent weight gain or loss behaviors;
• Healthy (see exclusion criteria).

Exclusion Criteria

• Any chronic illness, cardiac, pulmonary, liver, or kidney abnormalities, uncontrolled hypertension, peripheral arterial disease, insulin- or non-insulin dependent diabetes or other metabolic disorders - all ascertained through preliminary screening;
• Individuals with a history of bone, joint or neuromuscular problems or a current musculoskeletal injury ascertained through preliminary screening;
• Abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) results;
• Currently taking medication that may affect physiological testing;
• Contraindications to exercise.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Cardiorespiratory fitness	8 weeks	The change of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) before and after intervention.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Body composition	8 weeks	The change of body composition indexes (including fat mas, lean body mass, percentage of body fat) before and after intervention.
Lipid profile	8 weeks	The changes in concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglyceride before and after intervention.
Endothelial function	8 weeks	The change of brachial Flow-Mediated Dilation (FMD) before and after intervention. Endothelial function will be assessed by FMD.
Arterial stiffness	8 weeks	The changes of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and ankle brachial index before and after intervention.
Resting blood pressure	8 weeks	The change of blood pressure (including systolic and diastolic blood pressure) before and after intervention.
Resting heart rate	8 weeks	The change of resting heart rate before and after intervention.
Waist Circumference	8 weeks	The change of waist circumference before and after intervention.
Hip Circumference	8 weeks	The change of hip circumference before and after intervention.
Body Mass Index (BMI )	8 weeks	The change of BMI before and after intervention. BMI is calculated from the formula, Weight (kg) / Height2 (m2).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

School of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sport University; 🇨🇳 Beijing, China