Methods

Nine individuals completed three exercise interventions in randomised order. Measures were recorded across 3 days with exercise performed on the middle day, as either:(1) traditional continuous exercise (CONT), comprising 30 min moderate-intensity (60% of maximal heart rate [HR max]) incline walking before dinner;(2) exercise snacking (ES), consisting of 6× 1 min intense (90% HR max) incline walking intervals 30 min before each meal; or (3) composite exercise snacking (CES), encompassing 6× 1 min intervals alternating between walking and resistance-based exercise, 30 min before meals. Meal timing and composition were controlled within participants for exercise interventions.

Results

ES attenuated mean 3 h postprandial glucose concentration following breakfast (by 1.4±1.5 mmol/l, p= 0.02) but not lunch (0.4±1.0 mmol/l, p= 0.22), and was more effective than CONT following dinner (0.7±1.5 mmol/l below CONT; p= 0.04). ES also reduced 24 h mean glucose concentration by 0.7±0.6 mmol/l (p= 0.01) and this reduction persisted for the subsequent 24 h (lower by 0.6±0.4 mmol/l vs CONT, relative to their baselines; p= 0.01). CES was just as effective as ES (p> 0.05 for all glycaemic variables) at improving glycaemic control.