Frequency of Interruptions to Sitting Time: Benefits for Postprandial Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes
<b>Purpose:</b> To determine whether interrupting sitting with brief bouts of simple resistance activities (SRAs) at different frequencies improves postprandial glucose, insulin and triglycerides in adults with medication-controlled type 2 diabetes (T2D). <p><b>Methods:</b> Participants [n=23, 10 females, Age: 62±8 y (mean±SD), BMI: 32.7 ± 3.5 kg<sup>.</sup>m<sup>-2</sup>] completed a three-armed randomized crossover trial (6-14 day washout): sitting uninterrupted for 7 h (SIT); sitting with 3-minute SRAs (half-squats, calf raises, gluteal contractions, and knee raises) every 30 minutes (SRA3); and, sitting with 6-minute SRAs every 60 minutes (SRA6). Net incremental areas under the curve (iAUC<sub>net</sub>) for glucose, insulin, and triglycerides were compared between conditions.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> <a>Glucose and insulin 7 h iAUC<sub>net </sub>were attenuated significantly during SRA6 (glucose 17.0 mmol<sup>.</sup>h<sup>.</sup>L<sup>-1</sup>, 95% CI 12.5, 21.4; insulin 1229 pmol<sup>.</sup>h<sup>.</sup>L<sup>-1</sup>, 95% CI 982, 1538) when compared to SIT (glucose 21.4 mmol<sup>.</sup>h<sup>.</sup>L<sup>-1</sup>, 95% CI 16.9, 25.8; insulin 1411 pmol<sup>.</sup>h<sup>.</sup>L<sup>-1</sup>, 95% CI 1128, 1767; <i>P</i> < 0.05), and compared to SRA3 ( for glucose only; 22.1 mmol<sup>.</sup>h<sup>.</sup>L<sup>-1</sup>, 95% CI 17.7, 26.6; <i>P </i>= 0.01) No significant differences in glucose or insulin iAUC<sub>net</sub> were observed comparing SRA3 and SIT. There was no statistically significant effect of condition on triglyceride iAUC<sub>net</sub>. </a></p> <p><b>Conclusion:</b> In adults with medication-controlled T2D, interrupting prolonged sitting with 6-minute SRAs every 60 minutes reduced postprandial glucose and insulin responses. Other frequencies of interruptions and potential longer-term benefits require examination to clarify clinical relevance. </p>