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).
This is a parallel group randomized controlled trial, with the study subjects being overweight or obese adults (with a body mass index of ≥ 24 kg/m²). Participants will be recruited from universities and randomly assigned to one of the following four groups: Short-term stair climbing exercise group Participants climbed the stairs 4 to 5 times a day, each time ascending 5 floors (approximately 1 minute each time). There was at least a 1-hour interval between each exercise session, and the exercises were carried out during daily activities. They exercised 3 to 5 times a week for 6 to 8 weeks. Long-term stair climbing nutrition supplementation group The participants also conducted 4 to 5 stair climbing training sessions every day. Each training session consisted of 3 sets of climbing 5 floors (the total climbing height for each training session was 15 floors), with a rest period of no more than 1 minute between each set. The interval between two training sessions was no less than 1 hour. They exercised 3 to 5 times a week for 6 to 8 weeks. Moderate-intensity continuous training group (MICT) Participants engaged in 30-minute moderate-intensity running (including warm-up and cool-down activities) each time, 3 to 5 times a week, for 6 to 8 weeks. Control group Participants maintained their daily activities and did not receive any exercise intervention measures. Result measurement indicators: Vascular health: Assessing endothelial function through ultrasound measurement of flow-mediated vascular dilation (FMD). Body composition: Measured using the InBody body bioelectrical impedance analyzer (including muscle mass, fat mass and body fat percentage). Blood lipid test: Collect fasting blood samples and measure low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol (TC). Measurement time points: Measurements were conducted at the baseline (at the beginning of the study), 3-4 weeks (during the intervention period), and 8 weeks (after the intervention ended). This research protocol has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of Shandong Second Medical University. All participants are required to sign a written informed consent form.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
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.
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.
Flow-mediated dilation (FMD, relative percentage)
Flow-mediated dilation expressed as a percentage of the baseline brachial artery diameter.Unit of Measure: %
Time frame: 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
Time frame: 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
Time frame: 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
Time frame: 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
Time frame: 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
Time frame: 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: %
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Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
60
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.
Time frame: 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
Time frame: 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: %
Time frame: 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
Time frame: 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
Time frame: 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
Time frame: 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
Time frame: 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
Time frame: Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).
Systolic blood pressure (SBP)
Systolic blood pressure measured using an electronic sphygmomanometer.Unit of Measure: mmHg
Time frame: Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).
Serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration
Fasting serum HDL cholesterol concentration measured from blood samples. Unit of Measure: mmol/L
Time frame: Measured at baseline and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).
Diastolic blood pressure (DBP)
Diastolic blood pressure measured using an electronic sphygmomanometer. Unit of Measure: mmHg
Time frame: Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).
Heart rate
Heart rate measured using an electronic sphygmomanometer.Unit of Measure: bpm (beats per minute)
Time frame: Measured at baseline, mid-intervention (approximately 3-4 weeks), and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).
Serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentration
Fasting serum LDL cholesterol concentration measured from blood samples. Unit of Measure: mmol/L
Time frame: Measured at baseline and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).
Serum total cholesterol concentration
Fasting serum total cholesterol concentration measured from blood samples. Unit of Measure: mmol/L
Time frame: Measured at baseline and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).
HDL/LDL cholesterol ratio
Ratio of serum HDL cholesterol to LDL cholesterol calculated from fasting blood samples.Unit of Measure: ratio (dimensionless)
Time frame: Measured at baseline and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).
Serum triglyceride concentration
Fasting serum triglyceride concentration measured from blood samples.Unit of Measure: mmol/L
Time frame: Measured at baseline and post-intervention (after 6-8 weeks).