The effect of preprandial versus postprandial physical activity on glycaemia: Meta-analysis of human intervention studies
An erratum to this article was published (Diabetes Res Clin Pract, Mar 2026 ↗)
Pooled result · Glucose AUC during glucose tolerance test (RCTs)Result — go to the resultPooled mean difference −0.29 mmol/L 95 % CI −0.66 to 0.08Authors' conclusion
In conclusion, we found no differences between preprandial PA versus postprandial PA on glycaemia both after one PA bout as well as after multiple weeks of PA.
Study context
- Population
- Adults in human intervention studies directly comparing preprandial vs postprandial physical activity (PA) on glycaemia; Medline and Embase.com searched until February 202328 studies
- Comparison
- Preprandial PA vs postprandial PA
- Outcome
- Glucose AUC during glucose tolerance test (RCTs)
- Follow-up
- Multiple weeks
Methodological detailsrandom-effects models, pooled mean differences, Low to moderate quality of evidence (GRADE), Screened with ASReview (34,837); 42 full texts read by two independent reviewers, 28 included
- Random-effects models
- Pooled mean differences
- Low to moderate quality of evidence (GRADE)
- Screened with ASReview (34,837); 42 full texts read by two independent reviewers, 28 included
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Pooled mean difference
−0.29 mmol/L
95 % CI −0.66 to 0.08
Preprandial PAvs Postprandial PA
pooled mean difference −0.29 mmol/L (95 % CI −0.66 to 0.08)
Further pooled results
Acute response studies (21 studies) · 24 h
- Postprandial outcomes followed expected physiological patterns; outcomes measured over 24 h showed no significant differences
Subgroup analyses (quality, health status, etc.)
- Did not significantly change the outcomes
Original publication
The effect of preprandial versus postprandial physical activity on glycaemia: Meta-analysis of human intervention studies. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. Published 27 March 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →