Two-Week Stair-Climbing Exercise Snacks and Metabolic Health in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: A Pilot Study

NCT07849439 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: STUDY00000657
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 12
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This pilot study will evaluate whether brief bouts of stair climbing performed throughout the day for two weeks can improve metabolic health, cardiovascular fitness, and other health-related outcomes in adults with overweight or obesity who do not regularly exercise. Participants will complete approximately 6-8 brief stair-climbing "exercise snacks" per day for 14 days, with each bout consisting of approximately 60 total stair steps performed at a challenging but safe self-selected pace. Participants will complete baseline and post-intervention assessments at Saint Louis University. These assessments will include continuous glucose monitoring and standardized meal testing to evaluate glucose responses, as well as measures of aerobic fitness, anaerobic power, body composition, waist circumference, and muscular strength. The study will also evaluate adherence, perceived exercise intensity, and the feasibility of incorporating brief stair-climbing bouts into daily life.

Conditions

Overweight , Obesity

Keywords

Exercise Snacks; Stair Climbing; Physical Activity; Metabolic Health; Postprandial Glucose; Continuous Glucose Monitoring; Glycemic Variability; Cardiorespiratory Fitness; Body Composition; Anaerobic Power; Overweight; Obesity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Change in 2-Hour Postprandial Glucose Area Under the Curve (AUC)

  Postprandial glucose response will be assessed using continuous glucose monitoring during a standardized meal challenge performed before and after the two-week stair-climbing intervention. Glucose area under the curve (AUC) over the approximately 2-hour post-meal period will be calculated using the trapezoidal method and compared between pre- and post-intervention assessments.

  Baseline (Day 1) and post-intervention (Day 15)

• Change in CGM-Derived Glucose Standard Deviation

  Glucose standard deviation will be calculated from continuous glucose monitoring data over three complete 24-hour periods during the early and late intervention periods and compared within participants.

  Early intervention (Days 2-4) and late intervention (Days 11-13)

• Change in Aerobic Capacity (VO₂max or Estimated VO₂max)

  Aerobic capacity will be assessed using a VO₂max or estimated VO₂max test with metabolic cart analysis/indirect calorimetry during a graded exercise test. Peak oxygen uptake will be expressed in mL/kg/min and compared between baseline and post-intervention assessments. If a maximal test is not appropriate or feasible, a submaximal test with VO₂ extrapolation may be used.

  Baseline (Day 0) and post-intervention (Day 15)

• Change in CGM-Derived Glucose Coefficient of Variation

  Glucose coefficient of variation will be calculated from continuous glucose monitoring data over three complete 24-hour periods during the early and late intervention periods and compared within participants.

  Early intervention (Days 2-4) and late intervention (Days 11-13)

Secondary Outcomes (12)

• Change in Body Weight

  Baseline (Day 0) and post-intervention (Day 15)

• Change in Body Fat Percentage

  Baseline (Day 0) and post-intervention (Day 15)

• Change in Fat Mass

  Baseline (Day 0) and post-intervention (Day 15)

• Change in Lean Mass

  Baseline (Day 0) and post-intervention (Day 15)

• Change in Phase Angle

  Baseline (Day 0) and post-intervention (Day 15)

Study Arms (1)

Two-Week Stair-Climbing Exercise Snacks

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will complete a two-week stair-climbing exercise snack intervention. They will perform approximately 6-8 brief stair-climbing bouts per day for approximately 14 days. Each bout will include approximately 60 total stair steps completed at a self-selected challenging but safe pace. Participants will otherwise be asked to maintain their usual diet and lifestyle and avoid beginning a new exercise or diet program during the study.

Behavioral: Stair-Climbing Exercise Snacks

Interventions

Stair-Climbing Exercise Snacks BEHAVIORAL

Participants will perform brief stair-climbing exercise snacks 6-8 times per day for 14 days. Each bout will consist of approximately 60 total stair steps completed at a self-selected challenging but safe pace. When possible, participants will complete approximately 60 upward steps. If 60 continuous upward steps are not available, participants may use one or more flights repeatedly by ascending and descending carefully until approximately 60 total steps are completed. The intervention will be completed independently in participants' usual daily environments, such as home, work, or campus. Participants will be instructed to use the handrail when needed, descend slowly and carefully, and not run down the stairs.

Two-Week Stair-Climbing Exercise Snacks

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18-35 years and able to provide informed consent.
• Body mass index (BMI) 25.0-34.99 kg/m² and otherwise healthy, without chronic disease.
• Sedentary or low-active lifestyle, defined as no regular structured exercise ≥3 days/week for ≥30 minutes per session during the past 3 months.
• Access to a safe staircase that permits completion of approximately 60 total stair steps per exercise bout. Approximately 60 upward steps are preferred when available; one or more flights may be used repeatedly if needed.
• No contraindications or increased-risk findings identified on the PAR-Q+ or health history screening.

You may not qualify if:

• Known cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, renal, neurological, or musculoskeletal disease, or signs or symptoms suggesting increased risk during vigorous exercise, including diagnosed diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, chronic pulmonary disease, kidney disease, fainting or unexplained dizziness during exercise, chest pain with exertion, or severe shortness of breath with mild-to-moderate activity.
• Current use of medications that may affect exercise tolerance, heart-rate response, balance, glucose metabolism, or safety during vigorous exercise, including insulin or other glucose-lowering medications, beta-blockers, anti-arrhythmic medications, systemic corticosteroids, or medications that may cause dizziness, impaired balance, or altered exercise response.
• Orthopedic or joint conditions that could be aggravated by repeated stair climbing.
• Allergy, intolerance, dietary restriction, or other condition preventing safe consumption of the standardized meal replacement shake.
• Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant during the study period.
• Any other medical or psychological condition that, in the investigator's judgment, could make adherence difficult or place the participant at risk.
• Individuals currently enrolled in a course taught by the PI or other study personnel, or who are directly supervised, graded, or formally evaluated by a member of the study team.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• St. Louis University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Saint Louis University

St Louis, Missouri, 63104, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Overweight; Obesity; Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• Hossein Rafiei, PhD, RD

  St. Louis University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Hossein Rafiei, PhD, RD

CONTACT

314-977-8675; hossein.rafiei@health.slu.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: There is no blinding described in the protocol, and practically participants and researchers know that stair climbing is being performed.
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: Single-group pre-post pilot study in which all participants complete a two-week stair-climbing exercise snack intervention and undergo baseline and post-intervention assessments.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 24, 2026
• First Posted: September 30, 2026
• Study Start: October 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2027
• Last Updated: September 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)