Practical Approaches for Interrupting Prolonged Sitting to Improve Postprandial Glucose and Protein Metabolism

Background:Interrupting sedentary time induces improvements in glucose metabolism; however, it is unclear how much activity is required to reduce the negative effects of prolonged sitting.Methods:Sixty-six participants sat continuously for 9 hours except for required bathroom breaks. Participants were fed meal replacement beverages at 60, 240 and 420 min. Blood samples were obtained hourly for 9 hours, with additional samples collected 30 and 45 min after each feeding. Responses were calculated as incremental area under the curve (iAUC) for plasma glucose, insulin and triglyceride. Participants wore a triaxial accelerometer and a heart rate monitor. Energy expenditure was estimated using indirect calorimetry.Results:After controlling for age, sex and BMI, every 100 count increase in accelerometer derived total movement was associated with a 0.06 mmol·L-1·9 hours decrease in glucose iAUC (95% CI 0.004–0.1; P = .035), but not associated with changes in insulin or triglyceride iAUC. Every 1 bpm increase in mean heart rate was associated with a 0.76 mmol·L-1·9 hours increase in triglyceride iAUC (95% CI 0.13–1.38).Conclusion:Accelerometer measured movement during periods of prolonged sitting can result in minor improvements in postprandial glucose metabolism, but not lipid metabolism.

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Does the type of activity “break” from prolonged sitting differentially impact on postprandial blood glucose reductions? An exploratory analysis

Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1139/apnm-2016-0642 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 42 (8) ◽

pp. 897-900 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Robyn N. Larsen ◽

Paddy C. Dempsey ◽

Francis Dillon ◽

Megan Grace ◽

Bronwyn A. Kingwell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Analysis Data ◽

Postprandial Glucose ◽

Exploratory Analysis ◽

Postprandial Blood Glucose ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Energy Expenditures ◽

Prolonged Sitting ◽

Insulin Responses ◽

Dose Dependent

Frequent breaks in prolonged sitting are associated beneficially with glycaemic control. However, the contribution of energy expenditure to this relationship has not been well characterised. In this exploratory analysis, data from 3 laboratory trials that standardised test meals, cohort characteristics (overweight/obese, sedentary), and break frequency and duration were pooled. Higher energy expenditures of different types of breaks (standing, light- or moderate-intensity walking) were associated with lower postprandial glucose and insulin responses in a dose-dependent manner.

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Interrupting prolonged sitting with repeated chair stands or short walks reduces postprandial insulinemia in healthy adults

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.00796.2020 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jenna B. Gillen ◽

Stephanie Estafanos ◽

Eric Williamson ◽

Nathan Hodson ◽

Julia M. Malowany ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disease Risk ◽

Postprandial Glucose ◽

Healthy Adults ◽

Cardiometabolic Disease ◽

Postprandial Plasma Glucose ◽

Skeletal Muscle Biopsy ◽

Postprandial Glycemia ◽

Prolonged Sitting ◽

Energy Needs ◽

Daily Energy

We determined if interrupting prolonged sitting with practical 'activity snacks' could reduce postprandial glycemia and insulinemia in healthy adults. Fourteen participants (7 males, 7 females; 24±5yr; 25±5kg/m2; 40±8ml/kg/min; 7033±2288 steps/d) completed three 7.5-hr trials in a randomized order consisting of uninterrupted sitting (SIT), sitting with intermittent (every 30 min) walking (WALK; 2 min at 3.1 mph) or sitting with intermittent squats (SQUAT; 15 chair stands with calf raise). Mixed-macronutrient liquid meals provided 20% ('breakfast') and 30% ('lunch') of daily energy needs to mimic Western meal patterns. Blood samples were obtained for analysis of postprandial plasma glucose and insulin concentrations, and skeletal muscle biopsy samples were collected to measure markers of contraction- and insulin-mediated glucose uptake signaling. Postprandial glucose and insulin did not differ across conditions following breakfast. After lunch, peak insulin concentration was lower in SQUAT (52±27, p<0.01) and WALK (62±35, p<0.05) compared to SIT (79±43 μIU/mL). The insulin iAUC 1 hr following lunch was 37 and 29% lower in SQUAT (p<0.01) and WALK (p<0.05) compared to SIT, respectively, however 3 hr insulin iAUC was reduced in SQUAT only (24% vs. SIT, p<0.05). The 3 hr insulin:glucose iAUC was reduced following lunch in both SQUAT (30%) and WALK (23%) compared to SIT (p<0.05). Phosphorylation of AKTThr308, AKTSer473, and AS160Ser318 were not different between conditions (p>0.05). Interrupting prolonged sitting with short walks or repeated chair stands reduces postprandial insulinemia in healthy adults. Our results may have implications for mitigating cardiometabolic disease risk in adults who engage in periods of prolonged sitting.

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Combined effects of continuous exercise and intermittent active interruptions to prolonged sitting on postprandial glucose, insulin, and triglycerides in adults with obesity: a randomized crossover trial

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity ◽

10.1186/s12966-020-01057-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Michael J. Wheeler ◽

Daniel J. Green ◽

Ester Cerin ◽

Kathryn A. Ellis ◽

Ilkka Heinonen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Insulin Resistance ◽

Basal Insulin ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Exercise Bout ◽

Postprandial Glucose ◽

Trial Registration ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Continuous Exercise ◽

Prolonged Sitting ◽

Postprandial Insulin

Abstract Background Postprandial glucose, insulin, and triglyceride metabolism is impaired by prolonged sitting, but enhanced by exercise. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a continuous exercise bout with and without intermittent active interruptions to prolonged sitting on postprandial glucose, insulin, and triglycerides. Methods Sedentary adults who were overweight to obese (n = 67; mean age 67 yr SD ± 7; BMI 31.2 kg∙m− 2 SD ± 4.1), completed three conditions: SIT: uninterrupted sitting (8-h, control); EX+SIT: sitting (1-h), moderate-intensity walking (30-min), uninterrupted sitting (6.5-h); EX+BR: sitting (1-h), moderate-intensity walking (30- min), sitting interrupted every 30-min with 3-min of light-intensity walking (6.5 h). Participants consumed standardized breakfast and lunch meals and blood was sampled at 13 time-points. Results When compared to SIT, EX+SIT increased total area under the curve (tAUC) for glucose by 2% [0.1–4.1%] and EX+BR by 3% [0.6–4.7%] (all p < 0.05). Compared to SIT, EX+SIT reduced insulin and insulin:glucose ratio tAUC by 18% [11–22%] and 21% [8–33%], respectively; and EX+BR reduced values by 25% [19–31%] and 28% [15–38%], respectively (all p < 0.001 vs SIT, all p < 0.05 EX+SIT-vs-EX+BR). Compared to SIT, EX+BR reduced triglyceride tAUC by 6% [1–10%] (p = 0.01 vs SIT), and compared to EX+SIT, EX+BR reduced this value by 5% [0.1–8.8%] (p = 0.047 vs EX+SIT). The magnitude of reduction in insulin tAUC from SIT-to-EX+BR was greater in those with increased basal insulin resistance. No reduction in triglyceride tAUC from SIT-to-EX+BR was apparent in those with high fasting triglycerides. Conclusions Additional reductions in postprandial insulin-glucose dynamics and triglycerides may be achieved by combining exercise with breaks in sitting. Relative to uninterrupted sitting, this strategy may reduce postprandial insulin more in those with high basal insulin resistance, but those with high fasting triglycerides may be resistant to such intervention-induced reductions in triglycerides. Trial registration Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12614000737639).

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Delayed Changes in Postprandial Glucose in Response to Light-Walking Breaks from Prolonged Sitting

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000478568.74949.0d ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 47 ◽

pp. 676

Author(s):

Jennifer M. Blankenship ◽

Paddy C. Dempsy ◽

John Staudenmayer ◽

Barry Braun ◽

Neville Owen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Postprandial Glucose ◽

Prolonged Sitting

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The effects of prolonged sitting, prolonged standing, and activity breaks on vascular function, and postprandial glucose and insulin responses: A randomised crossover trial

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0244841 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. e0244841

Author(s):

Meredith C. Peddie ◽

Chris Kessell ◽

Tom Bergen ◽

Travis D. Gibbons ◽

Holly A. Campbell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Popliteal Artery ◽

Vascular Function ◽

Postprandial Glucose ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Intervention Effect ◽

Postprandial Metabolism ◽

Prolonged Standing ◽

Prolonged Sitting ◽

Increased Blood Flow

The objective of this study was to compare acute effects of prolonged sitting, prolonged standing and sitting interrupted with regular activity breaks on vascular function and postprandial glucose metabolism. In a randomized cross-over trial, 18 adults completed: 1. Prolonged Sitting; 2. Prolonged Standing and 3. Sitting with 2-min walking (5 km/h, 10% incline) every 30 min (Regular Activity Breaks). Flow mediated dilation (FMD) was measured in the popliteal artery at baseline and 6 h. Popliteal artery hemodynamics, and postprandial plasma glucose and insulin were measured over 6 h. Neither raw nor allometrically-scaled FMD showed an intervention effect (p = 0.285 and 0.159 respectively). Compared to Prolonged Sitting, Regular Activity Breaks increased blood flow (overall effect of intervention p<0.001; difference = 80%; 95% CI 34 to 125%; p = 0.001) and net shear rate (overall effect of intervention p<0.001; difference = 72%; 95% CI 30 to 114%; p = 0.001) at 60 min. These differences were then maintained for the entire 6 h. Prolonged Standing increased blood flow at 60 min only (overall effect of intervention p<0.001; difference = 62%; 95% CI 28 to 97%; p = 0.001). Regular Activity Breaks decreased insulin incremental area under the curve (iAUC) when compared to both Prolonged Sitting (overall effect of intervention P = 0.001; difference = 28%; 95% CI 14 to 38%; p<0.01) and Prolonged Standing (difference = 19%; 95% CI 4 to 32%, p = 0.015). There was no intervention effect on glucose iAUC or total AUC (p = 0.254 and 0.450, respectively). In normal-weight participants, Regular Activity Breaks induce increases in blood flow, shear stress and improvements in postprandial metabolism that are associated with beneficial adaptations. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour messages should perhaps focus more on the importance of frequent movement rather than simply replacing sitting with standing.

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Acute cardiometabolic effects of interrupting sitting with resistance exercise breaks

Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1139/apnm-2018-0633 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 44 (10) ◽

pp. 1025-1032 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Robert J. Kowalsky ◽

John M. Jakicic ◽

Andrea Hergenroeder ◽

Renee J. Rogers ◽

Bethany Barone Gibbs

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Resistance Exercise ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Postprandial Glucose ◽

Cardiometabolic Health ◽

Prolonged Sitting ◽

Exercise Breaks ◽

The Impact

Interrupting prolonged sitting with light activity breaks, such as short walks, improves cardiometabolic outcomes, yet less is known about the impact of resistance exercise breaks. This study examined the effects of hourly, guidelines-based simple resistance exercise breaks on acute cardiometabolic health outcomes over a simulated work period. Fourteen adults (age: 53.4 ± 9.5 years, body mass index: 30.9 ± 4.8 kg/m2) completed 2 randomized 4-h conditions: prolonged sitting (SIT) and hourly resistance exercise breaks (REX). Glucose, triglycerides, blood pressure, and heart rate were measured at baseline and then hourly. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured before and after each condition. Linear mixed models evaluated overall condition effects and differences at each hour. Cohen’s d estimated magnitude of effects. Four-hour glucose area under the curve (AUC) did not differ by condition (REX vs. SIT: β = –0.35 mmol/L, p = 0.278, d = 0.51). However, an attenuation of postprandial glucose at 1 h (β = –0.69 mg/dL, p = 0.004, d = 1.02) in REX compared with SIT was observed. Triglyceride AUC, mean blood pressure, and PWV did not differ significantly between REX and SIT overall or any time point (all p > 0.05). Heart rate was higher across the experimental period in REX versus SIT (β = 3.3 bpm, p < 0.001, d = 0.35) and individual time points (β ≥ 3.2 bpm, p ≤ 0.044, d ≥ 0.34). Resistance exercise breaks can potentially improve 1-h postprandial glucose, but may not acutely benefit other cardiometabolic outcomes. Future studies employing guidelines-based resistance exercises to interrupt prolonged sitting with a larger sample and longer follow-up are warranted.

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The effect of frequency of activity interruptions in prolonged sitting on postprandial glucose metabolism: A randomized crossover trial

Metabolism ◽

10.1016/j.metabol.2019.04.003 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 96 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ida K. Thorsen ◽

Mette Y. Johansen ◽

Nanna S. Pilmark ◽

Naja Z. Jespersen ◽

Cecilie F. Brinkløv ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Glucose Metabolism ◽

Crossover Trial ◽

Postprandial Glucose ◽

Prolonged Sitting ◽

Randomized Crossover Trial

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Frequency of Interruptions to Sitting Time: Benefits for Postprandial Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes

10.2337/figshare.14096582.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ashleigh R. Homer ◽

Frances C. Taylor ◽

Paddy C. Dempsey ◽

Michael J. Wheeler ◽

Parneet Sethi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Clinical Relevance ◽

Crossover Trial ◽

Postprandial Glucose ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Postprandial Metabolism ◽

Prolonged Sitting ◽

Randomized Crossover Trial ◽

Insulin Responses

Purpose: 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). Methods: Participants [n=23, 10 females, Age: 62±8 y (mean±SD), BMI: 32.7 ± 3.5 kg.m-2] 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 (iAUCnet) for glucose, insulin, and triglycerides were compared between conditions. Results: <a>Glucose and insulin 7 h iAUCnet were attenuated significantly during SRA6 (glucose 17.0 mmol.h.L-1, 95% CI 12.5, 21.4; insulin 1229 pmol.h.L-1, 95% CI 982, 1538) when compared to SIT (glucose 21.4 mmol.h.L-1, 95% CI 16.9, 25.8; insulin 1411 pmol.h.L-1, 95% CI 1128, 1767; P < 0.05), and compared to SRA3 ( for glucose only; 22.1 mmol.h.L-1, 95% CI 17.7, 26.6; P = 0.01) No significant differences in glucose or insulin iAUCnet were observed comparing SRA3 and SIT. There was no statistically significant effect of condition on triglyceride iAUCnet. </a> Conclusion: 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.

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Frequency of Interruptions to Sitting Time: Benefits for Postprandial Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes

10.2337/figshare.14096582.v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ashleigh R. Homer ◽

Frances C. Taylor ◽

Paddy C. Dempsey ◽

Michael J. Wheeler ◽

Parneet Sethi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Clinical Relevance ◽

Crossover Trial ◽

Postprandial Glucose ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Postprandial Metabolism ◽

Prolonged Sitting ◽

Randomized Crossover Trial ◽

Insulin Responses

Purpose: 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). Methods: Participants [n=23, 10 females, Age: 62±8 y (mean±SD), BMI: 32.7 ± 3.5 kg.m-2] 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 (iAUCnet) for glucose, insulin, and triglycerides were compared between conditions. Results: <a>Glucose and insulin 7 h iAUCnet were attenuated significantly during SRA6 (glucose 17.0 mmol.h.L-1, 95% CI 12.5, 21.4; insulin 1229 pmol.h.L-1, 95% CI 982, 1538) when compared to SIT (glucose 21.4 mmol.h.L-1, 95% CI 16.9, 25.8; insulin 1411 pmol.h.L-1, 95% CI 1128, 1767; P < 0.05), and compared to SRA3 ( for glucose only; 22.1 mmol.h.L-1, 95% CI 17.7, 26.6; P = 0.01) No significant differences in glucose or insulin iAUCnet were observed comparing SRA3 and SIT. There was no statistically significant effect of condition on triglyceride iAUCnet. </a> Conclusion: 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.

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