Date Created

8-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

College of Natural and Health Sciences, Kinesiology Nutrition and Dietetics, KiND Student Work

First Advisor

Laura Stewart

First Committee Member

David S. Hydock

Abstract

It is clear that exercise improves overall health status, and it is possible that berberine (BR) may work through some similar mechanisms to improve health status as well.  Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the acute effects of a single dose of BR on health status following a standardized meal and a 2 mile walk treadmill protocol with outcomes including blood glucose (BG), blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and a two-mile walk time trial performance. Methods: This study used a cross-over design where 14 healthy, young adults were given berberine (BBR) or placebo (PLA) capsules on two separate occasions. During each visit, the participants consumed 900 mg of either PLA (rice flour) or BR capsules and were then instructed to sit quietly for 30 minutes. Each participant completed a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) during both visits. Participants were given a standardized meal after the 30-minute waiting period and then were instructed to start walking on a treadmill set to 5% incline as quickly as possible. During the walk, BG, HR, and RPE were measured at intervals; BG was measured at 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes time points during recovery period. All participants answered brief qualitative questions after the 2 mile walk tailored to explore their subjective exercise experience, perception of energy, mood, and focus. Results: Participants (N = 14; 9 males, 5 females) were healthy and averaged 22.9 ± 2.9 years of age. There was no significant difference in BG (p = 0.26), BP; systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p = 0.62) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (at rest; p = 0.37 and post exercise p = 0.18), HR (p = 0.68), RPE; 1-mile (p = 0.87) and 2-mile (p = 0.83) distances, and performance time (p = 0.78) between the two groups. It is important to note that there was a mean difference of -17.6 s when BBR 2 mile walk completion time was compared to PLA; however, this performance improvement was not significant. Significant main effects of time were observed for BG (p = 0.001), HR (p < 0.001), and SBP (p = 0.008), reflecting the expected physiological responses to feeding and exercise. Qualitative responses indicated that participants generally perceived their energy, mood, and focus to be more related to their exercise rather than to the condition with most participants reporting a positive mood and overall walking experience.  Conclusion: This study suggests that a single acute dose of 900 mg of BR with a 2-mile walk performance does not have a significant effect on BG, BP, HR, RPE, and 2 mile time performance in healthy adults.

Abstract Format

html

Keywords

Berberine; placebo; exercise; blood glucose

Subject Categories

Sports Sciences

Language

English

Places

Greeley, CO

Extent

81 pages

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author.

Digital Origin

Born digital

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