This study will examine whether light physical activity after meals can improve 24-hour glucose responses in adults with metabolic syndrome and prediabetes.
Participants will complete three experimental conditions in a randomized crossover order: prolonged sitting, 15 minutes of postprandial walking, and brief resistance exercise snacks consisting of squats and calf raises performed every 20 minutes during the postprandial period. Continuous glucose monitoring will be used to assess 24-hour glucose responses, and heart rate variability will be measured during the 2-hour postprandial period to evaluate acute autonomic responses.
The main outcome is 24-hour mean glucose derived from continuous glucose monitoring.