Even low-intensity standing immediately after breakfast reduces interstitial glucose area under the curve by a statistically significant amount in healthy adults, though it does not significantly lower mean glucose or variability.

When a person stands still after eating, the muscles in the legs stay slightly active to maintain posture. This low activity pulls glucose out of the fluid around cells and into the muscle cells without needing insulin. The increased blood flow to the legs helps bring more glucose to the muscles, and the muscle cells take it up directly because their glucose transporters move to the surface. This lowers the total amount of glucose in the fluid over the next few hours, even though the average glucose level and its ups and downs don't change.