PurposeReduced-exertion high-intensity interval training (REHIT) is a genuinely time-efficient exercise intervention that improves aerobic capacity and blood pressure in men with type 2 diabetes. However, the acute effects of REHIT on 24-h glycaemia have not been examined.Methods11 men with type 2 diabetes (mean ± SD: age, 52 ± 6 years; BMI, 29.7 ± 3.1 kg/m2; HbA1c, 7.0 ± 0.8%) participated in a randomised, four-trial crossover study, with continual interstitial glucose measurements captured during a 24-h dietary-standardised period following either (1) no exercise (CON); (2) 30 min of continuous exercise (MICT); (3) 10 × 1 min at ~ 90 HRmax (HIIT; time commitment, ~ 25 min); and (4) 2 × 20 s ‘all-out’ sprints (REHIT; time commitment, 10 min).ResultsCompared to CON, mean 24-h glucose was lower following REHIT (mean ± 95%CI: − 0.58 ± 0.41 mmol/L, p = 0.008, d = 0.55) and tended to be lower with MICT (− 0.37 ± 0.41 mmol/L, p = 0.08, d = 0.35), but was not significantly altered following HIIT (− 0.37 ± 0.59 mmol/L, p = 0.31, d = 0.35). This seemed to be largely driven by a lower glycaemic response (area under the curve) to dinner following both REHIT and MICT (− 11%, p < 0.05 and d > 0.9 for both) but not HIIT (− 4%, p = 0.22, d = 0.38). Time in hyperglycaemia appeared to be reduced with all three exercise conditions compared with CON (REHIT: − 112 ± 63 min, p = 0.002, d = 0.50; MICT: -115 ± 127 min, p = 0.08, d = 0.50; HIIT − 125 ± 122 min, p = 0.04, d = 0.54), whilst indices of glycaemic variability were not significantly altered.ConclusionREHIT may offer a genuinely time-efficient exercise option for improving 24-h glycaemia in men with type 2 diabetes and warrants further study.

for assistance in training supervision for study 3. We would also like to extend a special thank you to our family and friends for their support during our academic endeavours.

Background: Adolescents with intellectual disabilities are insufficiently physically active. Where interventions have been developed and delivered, these have had limited effectiveness, and often lack a theoretical underpinning. Aim: Through application of the COM-B model, our aim is to explore the factors influencing adolescent physical activity within schools. Methods: A qualitative methodology, using focus groups with students who have mild/moderate intellectual disabilities, their parents'/carers' and teachers'. The COM-B model provided the lens through which the data were collected and analysed. Results: We identified of a range of individual, interpersonal, and environmental factors influencing physical activity, across all six COM-B constructs, within the context of the 'school-system'. Conclusion: This is the first study to use the COM-B model to explore school-based physical activity behaviour, for adolescents with intellectual disabilities. Identification of such physical activity behavioural determinants can support the development of effective and sustainable interventions.

No abstract

Background Walking interventions, delivered within the school setting, have the potential to increase physical activity (PA) in adolescents. Previous research has shown that walking is an acceptable form of PA for adolescent girls, and that walking interventions may be effective at increasing PA in this group. Findings from the Walking In ScHools (WISH) pilot study (n199 female participants) found the intervention was effective in increasing light intensity PA in adolescent girls, but further research is needed to examine the effects of walking on overall PA and the role of peer leaders in delivering school-based interventions. The present study aims to build upon this pilot work and evaluate the effectiveness of a novel, low-cost, peer-led school-based walking intervention, delivered across the school year, at increasing accelerometer-measured PA levels of adolescent girls. Methods The WISH study is a school-based cluster randomised controlled trial targeting adolescent girls (aged 12-14 years) within the post-primary school setting. Data will be collected at four timepoints, baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and 13 months post-baseline. Following baseline data collection, schools were randomly allocated to intervention (n = 9) or control (n = 9). In intervention schools, older pupils (aged 15-18 years) were trained as walk leaders and led the younger girls in 10-15min walks before school, at break, and during lunch, across the school year (20-22 weeks). The primary outcome measure is accelerometer-measured total PA (post-intervention) and secondary outcomes include anthropometry measures, and wellbeing. Results Some 590 participants (mean(SD) age 12.6(0.64)years) were recruited from 18 schools across Northern Ireland (n = 9) and the Border region of the Republic of Ireland (n9). Within the intervention schools, 149 walk leaders were trained. At baseline (n = 535), mean(SD) time spent in moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) was 39.2(17.07)mins/day and 66 (12%) girls achieved PA guidelines of 60 minutes MVPA per day. Data collection and analysis is ongoing. Conclusions This research has outlined the development of a novel, peer-led walking intervention and demonstrated its effectiveness at increasing light intensity PA in adolescent girls. The ongoing fully powered trial will build upon this pilot work and further evaluate the effects of the WISH study on increasing PA in adolescent girls.