Initiation of New Glucose-Lowering Therapies May Act to Reduce Physical Activity Levels: Pooled Analysis From Three Randomized Trials
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) reduce body weight and improve cardiometabolic health, but their effect on physical activity is unknown. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We pooled data (n = 148) from three randomized trials to investigate the effect of empagliflozin (SGLT2i) and liraglutide (GLP-1RA), in comparison with sitagliptin (dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor) and dietary therapies, on accelerometer-assessed physical activity. RESULTS: Liraglutide (mean −1,144 steps/day; 95% CI −2,069 to −220), empagliflozin (−1,132 steps/day; −1,739, −524), and sitagliptin (−852 steps/day; −1,625, −78) resulted in reduced total daily physical activity after 6 months (P < 0.01 vs. control). Moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity was also reduced. Dietary interventions led to no change or an increase in physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: The initiation of all glucose-lowering therapies was associated with reduced physical activity, warranting further investigation.
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There is some evidence that patients started on GLP-1 RAs may decrease their physical activity.
“there is some evidence that patients started on GLP-1 RAs may actually decrease their physical activity39.”
From GDF8 and activin A blockade protects against GLP-1–induced muscle loss while enhancing fat loss in obese male mice and non-human primates (2025) · cites this paper as [39]
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- Authors
- Yates, T., Sargeant, J. A., King, J. A., Henson, J., Edwardson, C. L., Redman, E., Gulsin, G. S., Brady, E. M., Ahmad, E., Stensel, D. J., Webb, D. R., McCann, G. P., Khunti, K., & Davies, M. J.
- Affiliations
- University of Leicester (GB)
- Loughborough University (GB)
- 1Diabetes Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, U.K.
- University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Yates, Thomas
- ORCID
- Venue
- Diabetes Care
- Publisher
- American Diabetes Association
- Published
- 2022-08-19
- Volume
- 45
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 2749-2752
- ISSN
- 0149-5992 (ISSN-L)
- 1935-5548
- OpenAlex
- W4295094341
- Semantic Scholar
- 14fccc953365606af84f1535f20298f494349669
- Cited by
- 9
- References
- 15
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 1
- FWCI
- 1.49
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Diabetes Care (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Loughborough University Research Repository (Loughborough University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- National Institute for Health Research (Leicester NIHR BRC)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes Treatment and Management
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes Management and Research
- Keywords
- physical activity, glucose-lowering therapy, SGLT2 inhibitors, empagliflozin, GLP-1 receptor agonists, liraglutide, sitagliptin, DPP-4 inhibitors, accelerometer-measured steps, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, dietary therapy, type 2 diabetes
- MeSH terms
- Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor, Sitagliptin Phosphate, Liraglutide, Benzhydryl Compounds, Glucose, Glucosides, Glycated Hemoglobin, Humans, Hypoglycemic Agents, Exercise, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors
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