Positive impact of a 10-min walk immediately after glucose intake on postprandial glucose levels.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Randomized crossover trial
PubMed 40594496 · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-07312-y
What was done
In a randomized, counterbalanced crossover trial, 12 healthy young adults (6 females) ingested a 75 g glucose solution under three conditions: resting (control), a 10-minute walk at comfortable speed started immediately after ingestion, and a 30-minute walk at comfortable speed started 30 minutes after ingestion. Blood glucose levels were monitored over 2 hours post-ingestion.
What was found
Both walking conditions significantly reduced 2-hour glucose area under the curve (10-min walk: 15,607 ± 702 mg·min/dL; 30-min walk: 15,732 ± 731 mg·min/dL; control: 16,605 ± 745 mg·min/dL; p < 0.05, d = 0.712 to 0.898) and mean blood glucose levels (10-min walk: 127.9 ± 19.4 mg/dL; 30-min walk: 128.9 ± 5 mg/dL; control: 135.8 ± 20.5 mg/dL; p < 0.05) compared to rest. The 10-minute immediate walk significantly lowered peak glucose compared to control (164.3 ± 8.9 mg/dL vs 181.9 ± 8.4 mg/dL, p = 0.028, d = 0.731), whereas the delayed 30-minute walk did not significantly differ from control for peak glucose (175.8 ± 9.6 mg/dL, p = 0.184, d = 0.410).
Why it matters
This study suggests that brief, immediate postprandial activity can blunt glucose excursions as effectively as—or for peak glucose, more effectively than—a longer walk delayed by 30 minutes.
Limits
The sample size was very small (n = 12), limited entirely to healthy young individuals, and used a pure 75 g glucose load rather than mixed solid meals. Insulin levels, continuous glucose monitoring dynamics, and long-term glycemic outcomes were not reported.
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