ObjectiveWe examined whether stair climbing–descending exercise (ST-EX), a convenient method to increase physical activity in daily life, for a short period would acutely improve the postprandial blood glucose (BG) response in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D).Methods16 people with T2D (age 65.4±1.1 years) participated in 2 separate sessions. After an overnight fast, each participant consumed a test meal and then kept resting for 180 min, except when performing each 3 min bout of ST-EX at 60 and 120 min after the meal (ST-EX session), or kept resting for 180 min (REST session). ST-EX comprised 6 continuous repetitions of climbing to the second floor (21 steps) at a rate of 80–110 steps/min followed by walking down slowly to the first floor at a free step rate.ResultsThe BG at 60 min after the meal during the ST-EX session (immediately before the first ST-EX) did not differ from that during the REST session, but analysis of variance revealed a significant interaction between time and treatment (p<0.01). The BG at 150 min after the meal (30 min after the second ST-EX) was significantly lower than that during the REST session (p<0.01). The area under the curve was also 18% lower during the ST-EX session than during the REST session (p<0.05). The heart rate and blood lactate levels indicated that the actual intensity of ST-EX was ‘hard’. In contrast, the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) indicated that the overall intensity of ST-EX was ‘moderate’ because of decreased RPE scores during descent.ConclusionsThe present findings suggest that performing 3 min ST-EX 60 and 120 min after a meal may be a useful strategy to accelerate the decrease in postprandial BG levels in people with T2D.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the hypoglycemic effect of a postprandial exercise program using brief stair climbing-descending exercise in people with type 2 diabetes. [Subjects and Methods] Seven males with uncomplicated type 2 diabetes (age 68.0 ± 3.7 years) performed two sets of stair climbing-descending exercise 60 and 120 min after each meal for the first 2 weeks but not for the following 2 weeks. Each set of exercise comprised 3-min of continuous repetition of climbing briskly to the second floor followed by slow waking down to the first floor in their home. A rest period of 1–2 min was allowed between each set. [Results] Serum 1,5-anhydroglucitol level was significantly higher by 11.5% at the end of the 2-week exercise period than at the baseline. By contrast, the 1,5-anhydroglucitol level at the end of the following 2-week period did not differ from the baseline value. Fasting blood glucose level and insulin resistance index at the end of the exercise period did not differ from the baseline value. [Conclusion] Repeated 3-min bouts of stair climbing-descending exercise after a meal may be a promising method for improving postprandial glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes.

Introduction Endothelium‐dependent flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery often changes seasonally. We aimed to examine the association between the seasonal variation on FMD and regular exercise in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and nondiabetic adults with hypertension and/or dyslipidaemia (non‐T2D). Methods This retrospective study included 14 T2D and 17 non‐T2D adults, who started to perform moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise for 30‐40 min/d at a hospital gym in 2006‐2010 and maintained exercise performance at least 2 d/wk until the end of the observation period. We observed and analysed the data for 5 years (from March 2011 to February 2016). FMD, cardio‐ankle vascular index (CAVI) and metabolic outcomes were compared among seasons in the T2D and non‐T2D groups. Results The FMD values were lower in winter than in other seasons in both groups (all P < .01). The annual range of FMD was larger by 31% in the T2D group than in the non‐T2D group (P < .05). The systolic blood pressure (BP) values were higher in winter than in other seasons in both groups (all P < .01), and the diastolic BP values were higher in winter than in summer in both groups (T2D: P < .05; non‐T2D: P < .01). CAVI and other outcomes did not change seasonally. Conclusions Flow‐mediated vasodilation showed seasonal variation in T2D adults, even if they performed exercise regularly for a long period of time. Additionally, we found that the annual range of FMD might increase with the presence of T2D.

We aimed at evaluating the effect of short-duration stair climbing-descending exercise (ST-EX) on 24-hour blood glucose (BG) response in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Seven men (age, 70.1 ± 1.3 years) with uncomplicated T2D consumed three meals per day according to a meal plan for patients with diabetes. Participants completed one session of ST-EX 60 and 120 min after each meal on the first day (ST-EX day), and did not perform ST-EX on the following day (REST day). Each ST-EX session comprised two 3-min bouts of brisk climbing to the second floor, followed by walking down to the first floor. The BG levels on the experimental days were recorded using a continuous glucose monitoring device. The mean BG level and the area under the curve for BG in the 24-hour period on the ST-EX day were significantly lower than those in the same period on the REST day (both p < 0.05). The duration of hyperglycemia (BG > 10 mmol/L) on the ST-EX day was significantly shorter than that on the REST day (p < 0.05). Repeated 3-min ST-EX after each meal might be an effective strategy to improve 24-hour glucose excursions in people with T2D.

This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the associations among self-reported sitting time (ST), transtheoretical model (TTM) based on exercise behavior change, and glycemic and weight control in Japanese adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Forty-two adults (age, 44.0 (33.3–56.8) years) with uncomplicated T1D answered questions regarding their lifestyles, including ST per day, and TTM using self-administered questionnaires. The glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level correlated with age and ST (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively), whereas body mass index correlated with duration of T1D and TTM (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively). Logistic regression analysis showed that poor glycemic control (HbA1c, >7%) was associated with ST (odds ratio, 3.53 (95% confidence interval, 1.54–8.11), p < 0.01). In addition, the cut-off points for quartiles of ST were 4.6, 6.0, and 8.0 h/day, and the HbA1c level in the lowest quartile was 15% lower than that in the highest quartile (p < 0.01). Although further studies with larger samples are needed, these results implied that expanded self-reported ST might be related to poor glycemic control in Japanese T1D adults, most of whom were lean, young and middle-aged, regardless of TTM based on exercise behavior change.