**3. Results**

#### *3.1. Anthropometric and Physiological Characteristics*

Anthropometric and physiological characteristics of the participants did not di ffer between the ExT and CoT (Table 1). The mean body mass index (BMI) indicated that men were overweight and women were normal weight. According to the International Diabetes Federation, the ethnic group specific cut-point for waist circumference (WC) is 94 cm and 80 cm for European men and women, respectively [14]. WC of the participants in the present study exceeded this cut-point, indicating central obesity.


**Table 1.** Anthropometric and physiological characteristics before exercise (ExT) and control trial (CoT).

BM: Body Mass; BMI: Body Mass Index; %BF: Body Fat percentage; WC:Waist Circumference; HC: Hip Circumference; WHR: Waist to Hip Ratio; RHR: Resting Heart Rate; SBP: Systolic Blood Pressure; DPB: Diastolic Blood Pressure.

#### *3.2. Metabolic Parameters*

In ExT, plasma glucose levels increased 45 min following breakfast consumption (%z = −2.20; *p* = 0.028), immediately following exercise (%z = −1.99; *p* = 0.046) and 1 h following exercise (%z = −1.99; *p* = 0.046) compared to baseline levels (before breakfast consumption). In CoT, plasma glucose levels were increased 45 min following breakfast consumption (%z = −2.20; *p* = 0.028) and immediately following rest (%z = −2.02; *p* = 0.043) compared to baseline levels (before breakfast consumption). Moreover, pairwise comparisons showed that there was no significant di fference in glucose levels at any time point between trials (Figure 1). Table 2 indicates time related changes with significant increases observed at 45 min post-meal following the exercise and control trials, immediately post-exercise/control

and 1 h post-exercise. Moreover, no difference in glucose area under the curve (AUC) between trials or gender was observed (Figure 2).

**Figure 1.** Changes in plasma glucose levels (mmol/L) following exercise (ExT) and control trial (CoT). Time points: (1) pre-meal; (2) 45 min post-meal (pre-exercise/control); (3) immediately post-exercise/control; (4) 1 hr post-exercise/control; (5) 2 h post-exercise/control; (6) 24 h post-exercise/control. \*Significant difference from (1) at the same trial.

**Table 2.** Changes in plasma glucose (mmol/L) levels (mean ± SD) following exercise (ExT) and control trial (CoT). Time points: (1) pre-meal; (2) 45 min post-meal (pre-exercise/control); (3) immediately post-exercise/control; (4) 1 h post-exercise/control; (5) 2 h post-exercise/control; (6) 24 h post-exercise/control. \* Significant difference from (1) at the same trial.


**Figure 2.** Glucose area under the curve (AUC) in mmol/L × 24h in exercise (ExT) and control trial (CoT).

Triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL levels did not change at any time point and were similar in both conditions (Figure 3a–d). Moreover, no difference in triglycerides AUC between trials or gender was observed (Figure 4).

**Figure 3.** Changes in plasma lipid levels following exercise (ExT) and control trial (CoT): (**a**) Triglycerides; (**b**) Total cholesterol; (**c**) LDL: Low Density Lipoprotein; (**d**) HDL: High Density Lipoprotein. Time points: (1) pre-meal; (2) 45 min post-meal (pre-exercise/control); (3) immediately post-exercise/control; (4) 1 h post-exercise/control; (5) 2 h post-exercise/control; (6) 24 h post-exercise/control. Dotted lines represent the mean values of the Control trial.

**Figure 4.** Triglycerides area under the curve (AUC) in mmol/L × 24h in exercise (ExT) and control trial (CoT).
