The Effects of Exercise Snacks on Endothelial Function and Body Composition in Overweight Individuals

NCT07558421 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026YX160
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of two types of stair-climbing exercise snacks versus moderate-intensity continuous training on vascular health, body composition, and blood lipids in overweight or obese adults. Participants will be assigned to one of four groups for 6-8 weeks. The control group receives no exercise intervention. Primary outcomes include endothelial function (ultrasound), body composition (InBody), and lipid profile (blood test).

Conditions

Overweight; Obesity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (14)

• Flow-mediated dilation (FMD, relative percentage)

  Flow-mediated dilation expressed as a percentage of the baseline brachial artery diameter.Unit of Measure: %

  Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).

• Body fat mass

  Body fat mass measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody device). Unit of Measure: kg

  Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).

• Time to peak dilation

  Time required to reach maximal dilation after cuff deflation.Unit of Measure: seconds

  Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).

• Basal brachial artery diameter

  Baseline diameter of the brachial artery before cuff inflation.Unit of Measure: mm

  Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).

• Peak brachial artery diameter

  Maximal diameter of the brachial artery after reactive hyperemia.Unit of Measure: mm

  Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).

• Absolute flow-mediated dilation (FMDabs)

  Absolute change in diameter, calculated as peak diameter minus basal diameter.Unit of Measure: mm

  Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).

• Standardized FMD

  Flow-mediated dilation adjusted for relevant covariates (e.g., shear stress, baseline diameter) according to standard protocols.Unit of Measure: %

  Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).

• Body weight

  Body weight measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody device).Unit of Measure: kg

  Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).

• Body fat percentage

  Body fat percentage measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody device).Unit of Measure: %

  Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).

• Body mass index (BMI)

  Body mass index calculated from weight and height measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody device).Unit of Measure: kg/m²

  Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).

• Basal metabolic rate (BMR)

  Basal metabolic rate estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody device).Unit of Measure: kcal

  Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).

• Waist circumference

  Waist circumference measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody device).Unit of Measure: cm

  Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).

• Visceral fat area

  Visceral fat area measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody device). Unit of Measure: cm²

  Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).

• Skeletal muscle mass

  Skeletal muscle mass measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody device).Unit of Measure: kg

  Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Systolic blood pressure (SBP)

  Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).

• Serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration

  Measured at baseline and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).

• Diastolic blood pressure (DBP)

  Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).

• Heart rate

  Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).

• Serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentration

  Measured at baseline and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).

Study Arms (4)

Short-term stair climbing exercise snack group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants perform short climbs of the stairs 4 to 5 times a day. Each climb involves going up 5 floors (approximately 1 minute), and there is a minimum interval of at least 1 hour between each climb.

Behavioral: Short-term stair climbing exercise snack group

Long-duration stair climbing exercise snack group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants climbed the ladder 4 to 5 times a day. Each climb consisted of 2 to 3 sets (each set involved climbing 5 floors, with a rest period of no more than 1 minute between sets), and the total number of floors climbed in a single session was 10 or 15.

Behavioral: Long-duration stair climbing exercise snack group

Moderate-intensity continuous exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

The participants engaged in moderate-intensity running training for 3 to 5 days per week, with each session lasting for 30 minutes.

Behavioral: Moderate-intensity continuous exercise（MICT）

control group

NO INTERVENTION

The participants did not undergo any form of exercise intervention and maintained their usual activity patterns.

Interventions

Short-term stair climbing exercise snack group BEHAVIORAL

Adopt a fragmented approach, climbing stairs 4-5 times a day, each time climbing 5 floors (approximately 1 minute per session), with at least 1 hour of interval between each session, and spread throughout the daily activity periods. Exercise 3-5 days per week for a total of 6-8 weeks.

Short-term stair climbing exercise snack group

Long-duration stair climbing exercise snack group BEHAVIORAL

On the basis of climbing stairs 4 to 5 times a day, increase the single exercise volume: complete 2 or 3 sets of climbing 5 floors of stairs each time (that is, the total number of floors climbed each time is 10 or 15), with no more than 1 minute of rest between sets. The intervals between each exercise should be at least 1 hour. Exercise 3 to 5 days a week, for a total of 6 to 8 weeks of intervention.

Long-duration stair climbing exercise snack group

Moderate-intensity continuous exercise（MICT） BEHAVIORAL

Exercise 3 to 5 days per week for a total of 6 to 8 weeks. Perform 30 minutes of moderate-intensity running training every day.

Moderate-intensity continuous exercise

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age: 18-35 years old (male, female);
• Clear consciousness, stable vital signs;
• Able to understand and follow simple instructions;
• No regular exercise for at least 3 months;
• BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2.

You may not qualify if:

• There are other serious diseases, such as tumors;
• There are other neurological diseases;
• There are serious diseases that simultaneously affect the heart, liver, kidneys, endocrine system or hematopoietic system;
• There is a history of alcohol or drug abuse;
• Participated in other clinical trials that might affect the results of this study;
• There are other neurological or musculoskeletal diseases, with pain worsening with exercise;
• It is forbidden to engage in physical training.
• Within the past 3 months, there have been acute cardiovascular events such as acute myocardial infarction,unstable angina pectoris, severe arrhythmia, acute heart failure, etc.；
• Uncontrolled hypertension；
• Severe pulmonary diseases, such as uncontrolled asthma, acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease with significant exercise limitation；
• Severe joint and bone diseases, acute soft tissue injuries, fractures that have not healed, etc., making it impossible to complete the prescribed exercise load；
• Presence of bleeding tendencies, coagulation dysfunction, or within the past 1 month, there has been major bleeding or a history of surgery；
• The investigator judges that there are any other situations that may affect the safety of the subjects or the results of the trial.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Weifang Medical University: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Overweight; Obesity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Overnutrition; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Body Weight; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• YANXIA WANG, PhD

  Weifang Medical University(Renamed Shandong Second Medical University)

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

XINCHEN ZHANG

CONTACT

+8615094866869; zhangxinchen2001@126.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Due to the particularity of the exercise intervention, it is not possible to blind the participants and the exercise instructors. However, it is feasible to blind the outcome assessors.
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 13, 2026
• First Posted: April 30, 2026
• Study Start: April 16, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 16, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 20, 2026
• Last Updated: April 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share