Does Biological Sex Influence Insulin Sensitivity and Muscle Metabolism Following High-intensity Interval Exercise?
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
High-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) is a type of exercise that involves alternating periods of intense exercise with periods of rest. HIIE has been shown to improve many aspects of cardiovascular and metabolic health in a time-efficient manner (e.g., only 20 minutes per exercise session). An important health benefit of exercise is improved blood sugar control, which can help reduce the risk of metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes. A single session of HIIE has been shown to improve blood sugar in males, but it is unknown if females achieve the same health benefit. It is also not fully understood how exercise improves blood sugar in males and females. Therefore, the purpose of this project is 1) to determine if a single session of HIIE improves blood sugar control in males and females, and 2) to evaluate if changes in skeletal muscle can explain the beneficial effects of HIIE on blood sugar.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Detailed Description
The primary purpose of this study is to determine if biological sex influences the effects of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) on insulin sensitivity and muscle mechanisms. The investigators will measure insulin sensitivity and muscle outcomes of participants on two separate occasions: 1) Following 30 minutes of sitting in the lab; and 2) Following a single session of HIIE on a stationary bike. Insulin sensitivity will be measured by taking blood samples after participants consume a sugary drink. Muscle outcomes will be measured by taking a small amount of muscle from the vastus lateralis (thigh) muscle. Groups of male and female participants will be recruited and tested using best practice guidelines for sex-based comparisons of exercise responses.
The study will advance knowledge regarding the potential for biological sex to influence the metabolic responses high-intensity exercise.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: Females Female participant group |
Other: Seated Rest (Non-exercise control)
Sitting for 30 minutes
Other: High-intensity interval exercise
Performing a single session of high-intensity interval exercise on a cycle ergometer
|
| Experimental: Males Male participant group |
Other: Seated Rest (Non-exercise control)
Sitting for 30 minutes
Other: High-intensity interval exercise
Performing a single session of high-intensity interval exercise on a cycle ergometer
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Insulin area under the curve [3 hours]
Insulin area under the curve measured during glucose tolerance test
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Glucose area under the curve [3 hours]
Glucose area under the curve measured during glucose tolerance test
- Mean insulin concentration [3 hours]
Mean insulin concentration measured during glucose tolerance test
- Mean glucose concentration [3 hours]
Mean glucose concentration measured during glucose tolerance test
- Peak insulin concentration [3 hours]
Peak insulin concentration measured during the glucose tolerance test
- Peak glucose concentration [3 hours]
Peak insulin concentration measured during the glucose tolerance test
- Insulin:glucose ratio [3 hours]
Insulin to glucose ration measured during the glucose tolerance test
- Postprandial glucose oxidation [3 hours]
Postprandial glucose oxidation measured with a metabolic tracer
- Skeletal muscle glycogen content [immediately before and after exercise]
Muscle glycogen use during exercise
- Skeletal muscle contractile signaling protein content [immediately before and after exercise]
Measured via western blotting
- Skeletal muscle insulin signaling [1hr into glucose tolerance test]
Measured via western blotting
- Mitochondrial gene expression [Change from pre-exercise to 3hr post-exercise]
Measured via Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction
- Muscle protein synthesis rates [3hr post-exercise]
Muscle protein synthesis rates assessed by incorporation of oral stable isotope tracer following exercise
- Local muscle oxygenation [During exercise]
Muscle oxygenation (vastus lateralis) assessed with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)
- Local muscle oxygenation [Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise and 2 hrs post-exercise]
Muscle oxygenation (vastus lateralis) assessed with NIRS during and following thigh cuff inflation
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
-
18-35 yrs
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VO2peak considered recreationally active as defined as 'fair' or 'good' (males: 41.6- 50.5ml/kg/min; females: 35-41.9 ml/kg/min) based on Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) normative fitness values.
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BMI between 18-27 kg/m2
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1-3 structured exercise sessions/week, and not training for any specific sport
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Weight stable (within ± 2kg for at least 6 months)
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Eumenorrheic (female only), defined as menstrual cycle lengths ≥ 21 days and ≤ 35 days resulting in 9 or more consecutive periods per year)
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Non-smoker
Exclusion Criteria:
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Diagnosed with cardiovascular or metabolic disease, hyper- or hypogonadism, and/or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
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The use of medication for managing blood glucose or lipid metabolism
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Current use of oral contraceptives or use within the last 3 months
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Irregular menstrual cycles (<21 days or >35 days)
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Pregnant, lactating, or menopausal
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Recreational smoking of any kind
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Inability to perform the study exercise protocols or follow the pre-trial dietary or physical activity controls
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Taking medications affecting substrate metabolism (corticosteroids or nSAIDs)
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Actively engaging in a low-carbohydrate diet (e.g., ketogenic, Atkins)
Contacts and Locations
Locations
No locations specified.Sponsors and Collaborators
- University of Toronto
Investigators
- Study Director: Stephanie Esfafanos, MSc, University of Toronto
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- 44435