Preferred Name
Haya Lulu
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
ORCID
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7283-252X
Date of Graduation
5-14-2026
Semester of Graduation
Spring
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Department of Kinesiology
First Advisor
Stephanie P. Kurti
Second Advisor
Nicholas D. Luden
Third Advisor
Trent A. Hargens
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine whether sleep status (normal sleep vs. acute sleep restriction) influences postprandial triglyceride (TRG) and glucose (GLU) responses in physically active and inactive young adults, and whether habitual physical activity mitigates potential adverse metabolic effects of sleep restriction. Methods: Nineteen young adults (11 active, 8 inactive) completed two experimental trials following a night of recommended sleep duration (NS; ~7–9 hours) and sleep restriction (SR; < 4 hours) in a randomized, counterbalanced design. Participants consumed a standardized high-fat, high-carbohydrate (HFHC) meal following a 12-hour fast. Capillary blood samples were collected at baseline and 30, 120, and 240 minutes postprandially to assess TRG, GLU, and secondary lipid markers. Habitual physical activity was objectively assessed using accelerometry and used to classify participants as active (>150 min/week MVPA) or inactive (< 90 min/week). Data were analyzed using mixed-model ANOVA. Results: There was an increase in TRG (p = 0.030) and GLU (p = 0.009) after the HFHC, with the inactive participants exhibiting significantly higher postprandial TRG (p = 0.007) and GLU (p = 0.013) compared to active participants. There was no significant effect of sleep condition for TRG (p = 0.383) or GLU (p = 0.573). Secondary analyses revealed consistently higher postprandial metabolic load index (MLI; summation of TRG and GLU) in inactive participants (p = 0.001), while no differences were observed in Total-C, LDL-C, or HDL-C. Conclusions: Habitual physical activity, rather than acute SR, was the primary determinant of postprandial metabolic responses in young adults. Although all participants were metabolically healthy based on fasting values, inactive individuals demonstrated early signs of metabolic dysfunction. A single night of SR did not significantly impair postprandial metabolism, suggesting that young, healthy individuals may exhibit resilience to acute sleep loss. These findings highlight the importance of habitual physical activity in maintaining metabolic health.
Included in
Exercise Science Commons, Expeditionary Education Commons, Laboratory and Basic Science Research Commons, Other Kinesiology Commons
