Effects of Normobaric Hypoxia and Different Exercise Modes on Blood Glucose Regulation in Overweight Adults

Obesity is a major global health issue and a primary risk factor for metabolic-related disorders. While physical inactivity is one of the main contributors to obesity, it is a modifiable risk factor with exercise training as an established, non-pharmacological treatment to prevent the onset of metabolic-related disorders, including obesity. Exposure to low-oxygen availability (hypoxia) via normobaric hypoxia (simulated altitude via reduced inspired oxygen fraction), termed hypoxic conditioning, in combination with exercise has been increasingly shown in the last decade to enhance blood glucose regulation and decrease body mass index, providing a feasible strategy to treat obesity.

However, findings from studies investigating the potential for hypoxia to augment the exercise training response and subsequent metabolic health are equivocal. Notably, there is a lack of information regarding the optimal combination of exercise variables and hypoxic severity to enable an individualized and safe practice of exercising in a hypoxic environment.

In the present randomized, single-blind, cross-over study, the investigators will investigate the effects of single-bout of different exercise modes under moderate hypoxia (FiO2, 16.5%).

The investigators hypothesize that all exercises combined with hypoxia improve glucose homeostasis in overweight individuals.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Healthy; Overweight; Physical Inactivity
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Low-moderate intensity exercise; Other: Sprint interval training; Other: Functional exercise; Other: Control

Detailed Description

In the present randomized, single-blind, cross-over study, participants will be exposed to moderate hypoxia (oxygen level 16.5%) during three different exercises (low-intensity cycling, sprint interval and functional exercises). Participants will be randomly assigned to each exercise condition (computer-generated randomization plan), separated by a washout period (5-7 days). To accomplish this, participants will exercise in an environmental chamber in which oxygen concentration of the ambient air and, as such, oxygen levels can be closely controlled and monitored.

Participants are required to attend the laboratory 8 times. These visits are including pre-exercise screening, baseline blood sampling, body composition screening and exercise in altitude conditions.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 13
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Malaysia
  • Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 57000
    • National Sports Institute of Malaysia

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 20 years to 40 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• BMI is between 25-29 kg/m²
• Physical inactive (physical activity <150 min/week)
• No known heart or metabolic diseases (such as Type 2 diabetes)
• Not currently taking any prescribed medication
• No reported musculoskeletal injuries recently
• Not exposed to hypoxia >1000 m prior to the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Impaired glucose tolerance (2 hour glucose: >7.8 - 11.1 mmol/L)
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Moderate hypoxia; The participant will perform different exercise modes under moderate hypoxia (fraction oxygen: 16.5%). Blood samples immediately after exercise oral glucose tolerance test will be collected.	Other: Low-moderate intensity exercise; The participants will perform low-intensity cycling exercise at 90% lactate threshold under moderate hypoxia; Other: Sprint interval training; The participants will perform sprint interval cycling exercise at a load of 7.5% bodyweight under moderate hypoxia.; Other: Functional exercise; The participants will perform bodyweight exercises under moderate hypoxia.
Other: Control normoxia; The participant will not perform any exercise under normoxia and moderate hypoxia. Blood samples of oral glucose tolerance test will be collected.	Other: Control; No exercise will be performed.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Oral glucose tolerance test (glucose)	Change of plasma glucose concentration immediately post-exercise under different exercise modes	Change of fasting and postprandial plasma glucose concentrations compared to different exercise mode at immediately after exercise
Oral glucose tolerance test (insulin)	Change of plasma insulin concentration immediately post-exercise under different exercise modes	Change of fasting and postprandial plasma insulin concentrations compared to different exercise mode at immediately after exercise

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Swinburne University of Technology
• Collaborators: National Sports Institute of Malaysia

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 3, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 30, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): August 1, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 13, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 21, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): November 28, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): November 22, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 20, 2023
• Last Verified: November 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Overnutrition; Nutrition Disorders; Body Weight; Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory; Overweight; Hypoxia
• Other Study ID Numbers: ISNRP-003-2020

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No