Prolonged sitting time links to subclinical atherosclerosis

Prolonged sitting contributes to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The underlying mechanisms are unknown but may include changes in arterial function and vasoactive mediators. We examined the effects of prolonged unbroken sitting, relative to regular active interruptions to sitting time, on arterial function in adults at increased CVD risk. In a randomized crossover trial, 19 sedentary overweight/obese adults (mean ± SD age 57 ± 12 yr) completed 2 laboratory-based conditions: 5 h uninterrupted sitting (SIT) and 5 h sitting interrupted every 30 min by 3 min of simple resistance activities (SRA). Femoral artery function [flow-mediated dilation (FMD)], blood flow, and shear rate were measured at 0 h, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 5 h. Brachial FMD was assessed at 0 and 5 h. Plasma was collected hourly for measurement of endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitrates/nitrites, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). There was a significant decline in femoral artery FMD, averaged over 5 h in the SIT condition, relative to SRA ( P < 0.001). Plasma ET-1 total area under the curve over 5 h increased in the SIT condition compared with SRA ( P = 0.006). There was no significant difference between conditions in femoral or brachial shear rate, brachial FMD, nitrates/nitrites, VCAM-1, or ICAM-1 ( P > 0.05 for all). Five hours of prolonged sitting, relative to regular interruptions to sitting time, impaired femoral artery vasodilator function and increased circulating ET-1 in overweight/obese adults. There is the need to build on this evidence beyond acute observations to better understand the potential longer-term vascular-related consequences of prolonged sitting. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to examine the effect of prolonged sitting on arterial function in adults at increased cardiovascular disease risk. We have shown that 5 h of prolonged sitting, relative to regular interruptions to sitting time, impaired femoral artery vasodilator function and increased circulating endothelin-1 in overweight/obese adults. There is now the need to build on this evidence beyond acute observations to better understand the potential longer-term vascular-related consequences of prolonged sitting.

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Daily Sitting for Long Periods Increases the Odds for Subclinical Atheroma Plaques

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10061229 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 1229

Author(s):

Jose Luis Perez-Lasierra ◽

Martin Laclaustra ◽

Pilar Guallar-Castillón ◽

Jose Antonio Casasnovas ◽

Jose Antonio Casajús ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Subclinical Atherosclerosis ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Health Study ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Trained Personnel ◽

Atherosclerosis Development ◽

Sectional Analysis ◽

The Relationship

Sedentarism is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), but currently it is not clear how a sedentary behavior such as long sitting time can affect atherosclerosis development. This study examined the relationship between sitting time and the prevalence of carotid and femoral subclinical atherosclerosis. A cross-sectional analysis based on a subsample of 2082 participants belonging to the Aragon Workers’ Health Study was carried out. Ultrasonography was used to assess the presence of plaques in carotid and femoral territories; the validated Spanish version of the questionnaire on the frequency of engaging in physical activity used in the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals’ was used to assess physical activity and sitting time; and demographic, anthropometric, and clinical data were obtained by trained personnel during the annual medical examination. Participants were categorized into <9 h/day and ≥9 h/day sitting time groups. After adjusting for several confounders, compared with participants that remain seated <9 h/day, those participants who remain seated ≥9 h/day had, respectively, OR = 1.25 (95%CI: 1.01, 1.55, p < 0.05) and OR = 1.38 (95%CI: 1.09, 1.74, p < 0.05) for carotid and any-territory plaque presence. Remaining seated ≥9 h/day is associated with higher odds for carotid and any-territory plaque presence independently of physical activity levels and other cardiovascular risk factors.

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Addressing physical inactivity in Omani adults: perceptions of public health managers

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980012005678 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 674-681 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Ruth M Mabry ◽

Zakiya Q Al-Busaidi ◽

Marina M Reeves ◽

Neville Owen ◽

Elizabeth G Eakin

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Physical Inactivity ◽

Ecological Model ◽

Adult Population ◽

Arabian Gulf ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Prolonged Sitting ◽

Culturally Sensitive Interventions ◽

Health Managers

AbstractObjectiveTo explore barriers and solutions to addressing physical inactivity and prolonged sitting in the adult population of Oman.DesignQualitative study involving semi-structured interviews that took place from October 2011 to January 2012. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling. Data collection and analysis was an iterative process; later interviews explored emerging themes. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed and continued until data saturation; this occurred by the tenth interviewee. Thematic content analysis was carried out, guided by an ecological model of health behaviour.SettingMuscat, Oman.SubjectsTen mid-level public health managers.ResultsBarriers for physical inactivity were grouped around four themes: (i) intrapersonal (lack of motivation, awareness and time); (ii) social (norms restricting women's participation in outdoor activity, low value of physical activity); (iii) environment (lack of places to be active, weather); and (iv) policy (ineffective health communication, limited resources). Solutions focused on culturally sensitive interventions at the environment (building sidewalks and exercise facilities) and policy levels (strengthening existing interventions and coordinating actions with relevant sectors). Participants’ responses regarding sitting time were similar to, but much more limited than those related to physical inactivity, except for community participation and voluntarism, which were given greater emphasis as possible solutions to reduce sitting time.ConclusionsGiven the increasing prevalence of chronic disease in Oman and the Arabian Gulf, urgent action is required to implement gender-relevant public health policies and programmes to address physical inactivity, a key modifiable risk factor. Additionally, research on the determinants of physical inactivity and prolonged sitting time is required to guide policy makers.

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Longitudinal Changes in Sitting Patterns, Physical Activity, and Health Outcomes in Adolescents

Children ◽

10.3390/children6010002 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 2 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ana Contardo Ayala ◽

Jo Salmon ◽

David Dunstan ◽

Lauren Arundell ◽

Kate Parker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Anthropometric Measures ◽

Prolonged Sitting ◽

Intensity Physical Activity ◽

Changes Over Time

This study examined two-year changes in patterns of activity and associations with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) among adolescents. Inclinometers (activPAL) assessed sitting, sitting bouts, standing, stepping, and breaks from sitting. ActiGraph-accelerometers assessed sedentary time (SED), light-intensity physical activity (LIPA, stratified as low- and high-LIPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Anthropometric measures were objectively assessed at baseline and self-reported at follow-up. Data from 324 and 67 participants were obtained at baseline and follow-up, respectively. Multilevel mixed-effects linear regression models examined changes over time, and associations between baseline values and BMI and WC at follow-up. There were significant increases in BMI (0.6 kg/m2) and durations of prolonged sitting (26.4 min/day) and SED (52 min/day), and significant decreases in stepping (−19 min/day), LIPA (−33 min/day), low-LIPA (−26 min/day), high-LIPA (−6.3 min/day), MVPA (−19 min/day), and the number of breaks/day (−8). High baseline sitting time was associated (p = 0.086) with higher BMI at follow-up. There were no significant associations between baseline sitting, prolonged sitting, LIPA, or MVPA with WC. Although changes in daily activity patterns were not in a favourable direction, there were no clear associations with BMI or WC. Research with larger sample sizes and more time points is needed.

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Does Interrupting Prolonged Sitting With 10- or 20-Min Standing Attenuate Postprandial Glycemia and Blood Pressure in Middle-Aged and Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes?

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.2020-0418 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Yuri A. Freire ◽

Carlos A. Silva ◽

Geovani A. D. Macêdo ◽

Rodrigo A. V. Browne ◽

Bruno M. de Oliveira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Older Adults ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Acute Effect ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Postprandial Glycemia ◽

Prolonged Sitting

We carried out three types of 2-hr experimental sessions with middle-aged and older adults with Type 2 diabetes in order to examine the acute effect of interrupting prolonged sitting with varying periods of standing on postprandial glycemia and blood pressure (BP): (a) prolonged sitting after breakfast; (b) standing for 10 min, 30 min after breakfast; and (c) standing for 20 min, 30 min after breakfast. Glucose and BP were assessed before and after breakfast. A generalized linear model revealed no significant differences for the incremental area under the curve of glucose between standing for 10 min, 30 min after breakfast, versus prolonged sitting after breakfast (β = –4.5 mg/dl/2 hr, 95% CI [–17.3, 8.4]) and standing for 20 min, 30 min after breakfast, versus prolonged sitting after breakfast (β = 0.9 mg/dl/2 hr, 95% CI [–11.9, 13.7]). There was no difference in area under the curve of systolic and diastolic BP among the sessions. Interrupting prolonged sitting time with 10 or 20 min of standing 30 min after breakfast does not attenuate postprandial glycemia or BP in middle-aged and older adults with Type 2 diabetes.

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Temporal features of sitting, standing and stepping changes in a cluster-randomised controlled trial of a workplace sitting-reduction intervention

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity ◽

10.1186/s12966-019-0879-1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Samantha K. Stephens ◽

Elisabeth A. H. Winkler ◽

Elizabeth G. Eakin ◽

Bronwyn K. Clark ◽

Neville Owen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Work Hours ◽

Trial Registration ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Work Time ◽

Prolonged Sitting ◽

Cluster Randomised ◽

Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background There is now a body of evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to reduce workplace sitting time. However, there has been limited reporting of how such interventions may impact behaviour both during and outside of work. Sitting, standing and stepping changes following a workplace intervention were examined across five timeframes (work time on work days; non-work time on work days; work days; non-work days; overall (i.e. work and non-work time on all days)), and the relationships between changes during and outside of work was assessed. Methods The cluster-randomised controlled trial, ‘Stand Up Victoria’, delivered a multi-component workplace-delivered intervention that successfully reduced workplace and overall sitting time (relative to controls). Separately, over the five timeframes, changes in device (activPAL3)-assessed outcomes — sitting; prolonged sitting (≥30 min bouts); standing; and, stepping — were compared between intervention (n = 114) and controls (n = 84), along with the time-course of sitting changes during work hours, using mixed models. The potential relationships of changes during work with changes outside of work were examined using compositional data analysis. Results On workdays, intervention participants significantly (p < 0.05) improved their activity profile relative to controls, with reduced sitting (− 117 min/8-h workday, 95% CI: − 141, − 93) and prolonged sitting (− 77 min/8 h workday, 95% CI: − 101, − 52); increased standing (114 min/8 h workday, 95% CI: 92, 136) and maintenance of stepping (3 min/8 h workday, 95% CI: − 7, 11, p = 0.576). Effects were nearly identical for time at work; similar but slightly weaker for overall; and, small and non-significant outside of work on workdays and non-work days. Improvements occurred at all times, but not equally, during work hours (p < 0.001). Correlations between changes during and outside of work on workdays were very weak in both the intervention group (r = − 0.07) and controls (r = − 0.09). Conclusions Sitting time was reduced almost exclusively during work hours (via replacement with standing), with reductions evident during all working hours, to varying degrees. There was no evidence of compensation, with minimal change in activity outside of work, in response to changes in activity at work. Future interventions may benefit from exploring how best to elicit change throughout the whole day, and across work and non-work domains. Trial registration This trial was prospectively registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials register (ACTRN12611000742976) on 15 July 2011

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Validity of Items Assessing Self-Reported Number of Breaks in Sitting Time among Children and Adolescents

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17186708 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (18) ◽

pp. 6708

Author(s):

Veerle Van Oeckel ◽

Benedicte Deforche ◽

Nicola D. Ridgers ◽

Elling Bere ◽

Maïté Verloigne

Keyword(s):

Children And Adolescents ◽

Screen Time ◽

Concurrent Validity ◽

Sitting Time ◽

After School ◽

Prolonged Sitting ◽

Break Up ◽

School Period ◽

Watching Tv ◽

Child Questionnaire

Background: Sedentary behaviour guidelines recommend that individuals should regularly break up sitting time. Accurately monitoring such breaks is needed to inform guidelines concerning how regularly to break up sitting time and to evaluate intervention effects. We investigated the concurrent validity of three “UP4FUN child questionnaire” items assessing the number of breaks in sitting time among children and adolescents. Methods: Fifty-seven children and adolescents self-reported number of breaks from sitting taken at school, while watching TV, and during other screen time activities. Participants also wore an activPAL monitor (PAL Technologies, Glasgow, UK) to objectively assess the number of sitting time breaks (frequency/hour) during the school period and the school-free period (which was divided in the periods “after school” and “during the evening”). Concurrent validity was assessed using Spearman rank correlations. Results: Self-reported number of breaks/hour at school showed good concurrent validity (ρ = 0.676). Results were moderate to good for self-reported number of breaks/hour while watching TV (ρ range for different periods: 0.482 to 0.536) and moderate for self-reported number of breaks/hour in total screen time (ρ range for different periods: 0.377 to 0.468). Poor concurrent validity was found for self-reported number of breaks/hour during other screen time activities (ρ range for different periods: 0.157 to 0.274). Conclusions: Only the questionnaire items about number of breaks at school and while watching TV appear to be acceptable for further use in research focussing on breaks in prolonged sitting among children and adolescents.

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Physical activity, diet and quality of life during mandatory (COVID-19) quarantine following repatriation

SAGE Open Medical Case Reports ◽

10.1177/2050313x20972508 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 2050313X2097250

Author(s):

Philippe Jean-Luc Gradidge ◽

Herculina Salome Kruger

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

South African ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Physically Active ◽

Self Monitoring ◽

Prolonged Sitting ◽

Online Tools

The coronavirus disease 2019 crisis in South Africa has been managed through an effective evidence-based approach. The aim of this case report was to determine the value of staying physically active during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, using online resources to prevent the harmful effects of sedentary behaviour under confined living conditions. A repatriated South African citizen was placed into monitored 14-day quarantine confined to a room, self-monitoring dietary intake and physical and health measures, while engaged in online exercise videos and indoor walking. This study demonstrates that structured indoor activity improves physical and mental health outcomes, despite prolonged sitting time during the day. During the current pandemic and in the presence of limited freedom of movement, sustained physical activity is made feasible by accessing online tools and resources, essentially reducing vulnerability to existing cardiovascular health concerns. However, these findings are based on a single participant and therefore further study is required.

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Influence of sex on microvascular and macrovascular responses to prolonged sitting

AJP Heart and Circulatory Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpheart.00823.2016 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 312 (4) ◽

pp. H800-H805 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Jennifer R. Vranish ◽

Benjamin E. Young ◽

Jasdeep Kaur ◽

Jordan C. Patik ◽

Jaume Padilla ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Shear Rate ◽

Young Women ◽

Popliteal Artery ◽

Reactive Hyperemia ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Calf Circumference ◽

Men And Women ◽

Microvascular Reactivity ◽

Prolonged Sitting

Increased daily sitting time is associated with greater cardiovascular risk, and, on average, women are more sedentary than men. Recent reports have demonstrated that prolonged sitting reduces lower leg microvascular (reactive hyperemia) and macrovascular [flow-mediated dilation (FMD)] vasodilator function. However, these studies have predominately included men, and the effects of sitting in young women are largely unexplored. This becomes important given known sex differences in vascular function. Thus, herein, we assessed popliteal artery reactive hyperemia and FMD before and after a 3-h sitting period in healthy young women ( n = 12) and men ( n = 8). In addition, resting popliteal artery hemodynamics (duplex Doppler ultrasound) and calf circumference were measured before, during, and after sitting. Resting popliteal artery shear rate was reduced to a similar extent in both groups during the sitting period (women: −48.5 ± 8.4 s−1 and men: −52.9 ± 12.3 s−1, P = 0.45). This was accompanied by comparable increases in calf circumference in men and women ( P = 0.37). After the sitting period, popliteal artery FMD was significantly reduced in men (PreSit: 5.5 ± 0.9% and PostSit: 1.6 ± 0.4%, P < 0.001) but not women (PreSit: 4.4 ± 0.6% and PostSit: 3.6 ± 0.6%, P = 0.29). In contrast, both groups demonstrated similar reductions in hyperemic blood flow area under the curve (women: −28,860 ± 5,742 arbitrary units and men: −28,691 ± 9,685 arbitrary units, P = 0.99), indicating impaired microvascular reactivity after sitting. These findings indicate that despite comparable reductions in shear rate during 3 h of uninterrupted sitting, macrovascular function appears protected in some young women but the response was variable, whereas men exhibited more consistent reductions in FMD. In contrast, the leg microvasculature is susceptible to similar sitting-induced impairments in men and women. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We demonstrate that leg macrovascular function was consistently reduced in young men but not young women after prolonged sitting. In contrast, both men and women exhibited similar reductions in leg microvascular reactivity after sitting. These data demonstrate, for the first time, sex differences in vascular responses to prolonged sitting.

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Effect of Sitting Time on Measures of Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Older Adults

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000519185.53430.27 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 49 (5S) ◽

pp. 815

Author(s):

Jacob P. DeBlois ◽

Wesley K. Lefferts ◽

Jacqueline A. Augustine ◽

Kayla N. Nunemacher ◽

Kevin S. Heffernan

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Subclinical Atherosclerosis ◽

Sitting Time

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