Exercise TimingExTime-GluNCT07434349
Exercise Timing and Postprandial Glucose Responses
A study testing Timed Endurance Exercise in people with Exercise Timing and Postprandial Glucose, run by Technical University of Munich at 1 site in Germany.
Trial summary
This interventional crossover study examines the effect of exercise timing relative to meal intake on postprandial glucose responses in healthy, physically active young adults. Participants complete five experimental conditions involving endurance exercise performed before or after breakfast or dinner, as well as a… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Exercise Timing, Postprandial Glucose
- What is being tested?
- Timed Endurance Exercise
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteGermany
- Study dates
- 1 Apr 2026to Aug 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Age 18 to 35 years
- Body mass index 18.5 to 24.9 kg per square meter
- Able to complete 45 minutes of continuous running at an intensity corresponding to 75 to 85 percent of maximal heart rate without stopping
- Engages in regular endurance-type physical activity
- Habitual waking times are compatible with the fixed breakfast time of 08:00
- Willing and able to comply with all study procedures, including standardized meals, exercise sessions, behavioral restrictions, and continuous glucose monitoring
- For female participants: non-pregnant and using stable hormonal contraception for at least 3 months
Who cannot join
- Acute or chronic illness
- Metabolic disorders or conditions associated with altered glucose or lipid metabolism
- Use of medications known to interfere with glucose metabolism or study outcomes
- Intolerance or allergy to components of the standardized study diets
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Body mass index greater than or equal to 25 kg per square meter
- Current or past eating disorder, or any medical condition or medication that could affect appetite regulation, glucose regulation, or make vigorous endurance exercise unsafe
- Current smoking or use of nicotine-containing products
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Karsten Köhler, Prof. Dr. contact
Germany1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Technical University of Munich
München, Bavaria, 80809
Christoph Höchsmann, PD Dr., +49 89 289 24488, christoph.hoechsmann@tum.de
About this study
Official title: Exercise Timing and Postprandial Glucose Responses in Healthy Adults
This interventional crossover study examines the effect of exercise timing relative to meal intake on postprandial glucose responses in healthy, physically active young adults. Participants complete five experimental conditions involving endurance exercise performed before or after breakfast or dinner, as well as a non-exercise control condition, while wearing a continuous glucose monitoring device.
Postprandial glucose responses are assessed for the three consecutive meals following each exercise session. Following morning exercise, outcomes are assessed after breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the same day. Following evening exercise, outcomes are assessed after dinner on the same day and after breakfast and lunch on the subsequent day. All meals are standardized and consumed at fixed clock times.
Read the detailed description
This study is conducted as a repeated measures, randomized crossover trial. Each participant completes five intervention conditions within a 14 day study period while wearing a continuous glucose monitoring device. The order of conditions is randomized, and all participants complete all conditions.
The five conditions include endurance exercise performed before breakfast, after breakfast, before dinner, after dinner, and a recovery day without exercise. On exercise days, participants complete a 45 minute outdoor run at a vigorous intensity at predefined times relative to standardized meals. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are consumed at fixed clock times (08:00, 13:00, and 18:00, respectively).
Postprandial glucose outcomes are assessed for the three consecutive meals following each exercise session. In conditions involving exercise performed before or after breakfast, outcomes are assessed following breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the same day. In conditions involving exercise performed before or after dinner, outcomes are assessed following dinner on the same day and following breakfast and lunch on the subsequent day.
Dietary intake is fully standardized across all intervention days. Meal composition is identical across intervention days within participants, with macronutrient composition held constant. Meals are designed to have a high glycemic load, calculated using published glycemic index tables and established food composition databases. Meals must be consumed within a predefined consumption window, with the start of meal intake serving as the reference time point for postprandial glucose analyses. Adherence to meal timing and consumption is verified using time-stamped photographs of meals and packaging, along with a standardized checklist documenting consumption times.
Habitual waking times compatible with the fixed breakfast time are required for study participation. During the intervention period, participants are instructed to standardize bedtime as closely as possible across study days and to record wake time and sleep duration daily by self-report. Caffeine consumption is restricted on intervention days and on the day preceding each intervention day. On the day before each intervention day, participants are also instructed to refrain from structured exercise and alcohol. Participants are further instructed to replicate, as closely as possible, the type and timing of meals consumed on the day preceding each intervention condition in order to standardize pre-intervention nutritional status. This applies particularly to the day before conditions involving morning exercise and to earlier meals consumed on days with evening exercise.
All exercise sessions are completed outdoors on the same route. Ambient temperature and precipitation are recorded for each exercise session using smartphone-based weather data. Exercise sessions may be rescheduled in cases of extreme weather conditions or acute illness to ensure participant safety and protocol consistency.
- Conditions
- Exercise Timing, Postprandial Glucose
- Being tested
- Timed Endurance Exercise, No Exercise Control
- Keywords
- Exercise Timing, Postprandial Glucose, Continuous Glucose Monitoring, Endurance Exercise, Glycemic Response
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Timed Endurance ExerciseBehavioural
The exercise intervention consists of a 45 minute continuous outdoor run performed on a standardized route. Participants are instructed to maintain a consistent running pace across all exercise conditions. Exercise intensity is standardized using a target heart rate corresponding to 75 to 85 percent of maximal heart rate, and participants must be able to complete 45 minutes of continuous running at this intensity without stopping.
Heart rate, duration, distance, and pace are recorded using a heart rate monitor and GPS enabled device. Ambient temperature and precipitation are recorded for each session. Exercise sessions may be rescheduled in cases of extreme weather or acute illness.
No Exercise ControlBehavioural
This intervention involves a non-exercise control condition
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Run Before Breakfast | Experimental | Participants complete a 45 minute outdoor run beginning 60 minutes before the standardized breakfast time (08:00). A short recovery period is allowed between completion of exercise and meal initiation. Postprandial glucose responses are assessed following breakfast, lunch (13:00), and dinner (18:00). Receives: Behavioral: Timed Endurance Exercise |
| Run After Breakfast | Experimental | Participants complete a 45 minute outdoor run beginning 90 minutes after the start of breakfast (08:00). Postprandial glucose responses are assessed following breakfast, lunch (13:00), and dinner (18:00). Receives: Behavioral: Timed Endurance Exercise |
| Run Before Dinner | Experimental | Participants complete a 45 minute outdoor run beginning 60 minutes before the standardized dinner time (18:00). Postprandial glucose responses are assessed following dinner on the same day and following breakfast (08:00) and lunch (13:00) on the subsequent day. Receives: Behavioral: Timed Endurance Exercise |
| Run After Dinner | Experimental | Participants complete a 45 minute outdoor run beginning 90 minutes after the start of dinner (18:00). Postprandial glucose responses are assessed following dinner on the same day and following breakfast (08:00) and lunch (13:00) on the subsequent day. Receives: Behavioral: Timed Endurance Exercise |
| No Exercise Control | Experimental | Participants do not perform structured exercise on this study day and follow the standardized meal schedule. This condition serves as a within participant control. Postprandial glucose responses are assessed following breakfast (08:00), lunch (13:00), and dinner (18:00). Receives: Behavioral: No Exercise Control |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
3-hour postprandial glucose area under the curve (AUC)
The area under the curve for interstitial glucose concentration during the 3-hour period following each of the three consecutive meals assessed after each exercise or control condition, measured using continuous glucose monitoring.
Measured: During each intervention condition within the 14-day study period, assessed over the 3-hour period following each of the three consecutive meals after each condition
Secondary outcomes (5)
Incremental postprandial glucose AUC
Incremental area under the curve for interstitial glucose concentration during the 3-hour postprandial period following each assessed meal, calculated relative to pre-meal baseline glucose concentration.
Measured: During each intervention condition within the 14-day study period, assessed over the 3-hour period following each of the three consecutive meals after each condition
Peak postprandial glucose concentration
Maximum interstitial glucose concentration following each meal.
Measured: During each intervention condition within the 14-day study period, assessed over the 3-hour period following each of the three consecutive meals after each condition
Time to peak glucose
Time from meal initiation to peak interstitial glucose concentration.
Measured: During each intervention condition within the 14-day study period, assessed over the 3-hour period following each of the three consecutive meals after each condition
Subjective appetite ratings
Subjective sensations of hunger, fullness, prospective food consumption, desire to eat, nausea, and thirst are assessed using electronic 100-mm visual analog scales administered before and after each meal and each exercise session.
Measured: Repeatedly during each intervention condition within the 14-day study period, assessed before and after each meal and exercise session
Rating of perceived exertion
Perceived exertion following each exercise session is assessed using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale (6-20).
Measured: Immediately after each exercise session during each intervention condition within the 14-day study period
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Feb 2026
- Study start1 Apr 2026
- Primary completionAug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionAug 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Exercise TimingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Technical University of MunichThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Technical University of Munich
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Karsten Koehler, Technical University of Munich
- Investigators
- Christoph Höchsmann, PD Dr., Principal investigator, Technical University of Munich
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07434349
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- ExTime-Glu
- Acronym
- ExTime-Glu
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 12 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 20 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: Individual participant data will be shared upon reasonable request in accordance with the Technical University of Munich's data sharing policy and applicable data protection regulations.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Exercise Timing and Postprandial Glucose Responses in Healthy Adults
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07434349
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ExTime-Glu / ExTime-Glu
- Conditions
- Exercise Timing, Postprandial Glucose
- Keywords
- Exercise Timing, Postprandial Glucose, Continuous Glucose Monitoring, Endurance Exercise, Glycemic Response
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Technical University of MunichUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Aug 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 25 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This interventional crossover study examines the effect of exercise timing relative to meal intake on postprandial glucose responses in healthy, physically active young adults. Participants complete five experimental conditions involving endurance exercise performed before or after breakfast or dinner, as well as a non-exercise control condition, while wearing a continuous glucose monitoring device.
Postprandial glucose responses are assessed for the three consecutive meals following each exercise session. Following morning exercise, outcomes are assessed after breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the same day. Following evening exercise, outcomes are assessed after dinner on the same day and after breakfast and lunch on the subsequent day. All meals are standardized and consumed at fixed clock times.
Detailed description
This study is conducted as a repeated measures, randomized crossover trial. Each participant completes five intervention conditions within a 14 day study period while wearing a continuous glucose monitoring device. The order of conditions is randomized, and all participants complete all conditions.
The five conditions include endurance exercise performed before breakfast, after breakfast, before dinner, after dinner, and a recovery day without exercise. On exercise days, participants complete a 45 minute outdoor run at a vigorous intensity at predefined times relative to standardized meals. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are consumed at fixed clock times (08:00, 13:00, and 18:00, respectively).
Postprandial glucose outcomes are assessed for the three consecutive meals following each exercise session. In conditions involving exercise performed before or after breakfast, outcomes are assessed following breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the same day. In conditions involving exercise performed before or after dinner, outcomes are assessed following dinner on the same day and following breakfast and lunch on the subsequent day.
Dietary intake is fully standardized across all intervention days. Meal composition is identical across intervention days within participants, with macronutrient composition held constant. Meals are designed to have a high glycemic load, calculated using published glycemic index tables and established food composition databases. Meals must be consumed within a predefined consumption window, with the start of meal intake serving as the reference time point for postprandial glucose analyses. Adherence to meal timing and consumption is verified using time-stamped photographs of meals and packaging, along with a standardized checklist documenting consumption times.
Habitual waking times compatible with the fixed breakfast time are required for study participation. During the intervention period, participants are instructed to standardize bedtime as closely as possible across study days and to record wake time and sleep duration daily by self-report. Caffeine consumption is restricted on intervention days and on the day preceding each intervention day. On the day before each intervention day, participants are also instructed to refrain from structured exercise and alcohol. Participants are further instructed to replicate, as closely as possible, the type and timing of meals consumed on the day preceding each intervention condition in order to standardize pre-intervention nutritional status. This applies particularly to the day before conditions involving morning exercise and to earlier meals consumed on days with evening exercise.
All exercise sessions are completed outdoors on the same route. Ambient temperature and precipitation are recorded for each exercise session using smartphone-based weather data. Exercise sessions may be rescheduled in cases of extreme weather conditions or acute illness to ensure participant safety and protocol consistency.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 5
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Run Before Breakfast | Experimental | Behavioral: Timed Endurance ExerciseParticipants complete a 45 minute outdoor run beginning 60 minutes before the standardized breakfast time (08:00). A short recovery period is allowed between completion of exercise and meal initiation. Postprandial glucose responses are assessed following breakfast, lunch (13:00), and dinner (18:00). |
| Run After Breakfast | Experimental | Behavioral: Timed Endurance ExerciseParticipants complete a 45 minute outdoor run beginning 90 minutes after the start of breakfast (08:00). Postprandial glucose responses are assessed following breakfast, lunch (13:00), and dinner (18:00). |
| Run Before Dinner | Experimental | Behavioral: Timed Endurance ExerciseParticipants complete a 45 minute outdoor run beginning 60 minutes before the standardized dinner time (18:00). Postprandial glucose responses are assessed following dinner on the same day and following breakfast (08:00) and lunch (13:00) on the subsequent day. |
| Run After Dinner | Experimental | Behavioral: Timed Endurance ExerciseParticipants complete a 45 minute outdoor run beginning 90 minutes after the start of dinner (18:00). Postprandial glucose responses are assessed following dinner on the same day and following breakfast (08:00) and lunch (13:00) on the subsequent day. |
| No Exercise Control | Experimental | Behavioral: No Exercise ControlParticipants do not perform structured exercise on this study day and follow the standardized meal schedule. This condition serves as a within participant control. Postprandial glucose responses are assessed following breakfast (08:00), lunch (13:00), and dinner (18:00). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Age 18 to 35 years
- Body mass index 18.5 to 24.9 kg per square meter
- Able to complete 45 minutes of continuous running at an intensity corresponding to 75 to 85 percent of maximal heart rate without stopping
- Engages in regular endurance-type physical activity
- Habitual waking times are compatible with the fixed breakfast time of 08:00
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Acute or chronic illness
- Metabolic disorders or conditions associated with altered glucose or lipid metabolism
- Use of medications known to interfere with glucose metabolism or study outcomes
- Intolerance or allergy to components of the standardized study diets
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Timed Endurance ExerciseThe exercise intervention consists of a 45 minute continuous outdoor run performed on a standardized route. Participants are instructed to maintain a consistent running pace across all exercise conditions. Exercise intensity is standardized using a target heart rate corresponding to 75 to 85 percent of maximal heart rate, and participants must be able to complete 45 minutes of continuous running at this intensity without stopping. Heart rate, duration, distance, and pace are recorded using a heart rate monitor and GPS enabled device. Ambient temperature and precipitation are recorded for each session. Exercise sessions may be rescheduled in cases of extreme weather or acute illness. | Behavioural | Run After Breakfast, Run After Dinner, Run Before Breakfast, Run Before Dinner |
| No Exercise ControlThis intervention involves a non-exercise control condition | Behavioural | No Exercise Control |
Primary outcome
3-hour postprandial glucose area under the curve (AUC)
Time frame: During each intervention condition within the 14-day study period, assessed over the 3-hour period following each of the three consecutive meals after each condition
The area under the curve for interstitial glucose concentration during the 3-hour period following each of the three consecutive meals assessed after each exercise or control condition, measured using continuous glucose monitoring.
5 secondary outcomes
Incremental postprandial glucose AUC
Time frame: During each intervention condition within the 14-day study period, assessed over the 3-hour period following each of the three consecutive meals after each condition
Peak postprandial glucose concentration
Time frame: During each intervention condition within the 14-day study period, assessed over the 3-hour period following each of the three consecutive meals after each condition
Time to peak glucose
Time frame: During each intervention condition within the 14-day study period, assessed over the 3-hour period following each of the three consecutive meals after each condition
Subjective appetite ratings
Time frame: Repeatedly during each intervention condition within the 14-day study period, assessed before and after each meal and exercise session
Rating of perceived exertion
Time frame: Immediately after each exercise session during each intervention condition within the 14-day study period
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. Individual participant data will be shared upon reasonable request in accordance with the Technical University of Munich's data sharing policy and applicable data protection regulations.
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Karsten Köhler, Prof. Dr. contact
Christoph Höchsmann, PD Dr. principal investigator
Technical University of Munich
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Timed Endurance Exercise in people with Exercise Timing and Postprandial Glucose, run by Technical University of Munich at 1 site in Germany.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Germany. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Christoph Höchsmann, PD Dr. (+49 89 289 24488, christoph.hoechsmann@tum.de), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
3-hour postprandial glucose area under the curve (AUC) (time frame: During each intervention condition within the 14-day study period, assessed over the 3-hour period following each of the three consecutive meals after each condition). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 20 Apr 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 2 Nov 2026.