Efficacy of Physical Exercise on Glucose Control in People With Prediabetes (GLYCEX) - Phase II

Aim: To assess the efficacy of different frequencies of physical exercise on glycaemic control in adults with prediabetes. Methods: parallel, randomised, controlled, clinical trial will be carried out, with a total of 90 participants. Exercise modality that showed the best glycaemic control in first phase of GLYCEX study (NCT05612698) will be used. Participantds will be randomised in 3 groups: 1) frequency of 5 days/week, 2) frequency of 3 days/week and 3) frequency of 2 days/week. Data collection will be performed at baseline and after 15-weeks of follow up. Sociodemographic data, medication, comorbidity, blood biochemical parameters, blood pressure, anthropometric measurements, body composition, physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, quality of life and sleep questionnaires will be collected. Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep will be further determined with an accelerometer, and continuous glycaemia will be determined with a glycaemic monitor, both during seven days, in two time points. The main dependent variable will be the reduction of the mean amplitude of glycaemic excursions. The impact of the interventions on health will also be evaluated through gene expression analysis in peripheral blood cells. Discussion: The results of this study will contribute to better understanding of the response of glucose mechanisms to physical exercise in a population with prediabetes as well as improving physical exercise prescriptions for diabetes prevention. Increasing glycaemic control in people with prediabetes through physical exercise offers an opportunity to prevent diabetes and reduce associated comorbidities and health costs.