Cardiometabolic risk

Cardiometabolic Health Improved by Regular Activity Breaks

Breaking up sedentary time with 2 minutes of brisk walking and 30-minute walks later in the day could potentially combat the effects of sitting for long periods, according to a recent study.

The randomized crossover trial included 36 adults with a mean body mass index of 23.9 kg/m2. Participants completed the following 4 interventions:

  • Prolonged sitting
  • Prolonged sitting followed by 30 minutes of continuous walking at the end of day 1
  • Regular activity breaks consisting of 2-minute walks every 30 minutes of sitting
  • A combination of regular activity breaks consisting of 2-minute walks every 30 minutes of sitting and 30 minutes of continuous walking at the end of day 1

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On day 2, the researchers took measurements from venous blood of postprandial plasma triglyceride, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose, and insulin response over a 5-hour period.

Regular activity breaks and the combination of activity breaks and 30 minutes of walking attenuated postprandial triglycerides compared with prolonged sitting. The greatest reduction in postprandial insulin was associated with the combination of activity breaks and 30 minutes of walking at the end of the day, while only regular activity breaks showed the largest increase in NEFA. However, the researchers did not find any effects on postprandial glucose.

“Postprandial triglyceride response is attenuated by regular activity breaks, when measured [approximately 24 hours] after breaks begin,” the researchers concluded. “Combining regular activity breaks with 30 min of continuous walking further improves insulinaemic and lipidaemic responses.”

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

Homer AR, Fenemor SP, Perry TL, et al. Regular activity breaks combined with physical activity improves postprandial plasma triglyceride, non-esterified fatty acid and insulin responses in healthy, normal weight adults: a randomized crossover trial [published online June 19, 2017]. J Clin Lipidol.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jacl.2017.06.007