Initiation of New Glucose-Lowering Therapies May Act to Reduce Physical Activity Levels: Pooled Analysis From Three Randomized Trials.

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.