Frequency of Interrupting Sitting and Cognitive Function

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Sedentary Behaviors; Breaking Prolonged Sitting with Physical Activity

• Registration Number: NCT06700187
• Lead Sponsor: Maastricht University Medical Center

Brief Summary

Rationale: Sedentary behavior (SB) has been associated with impaired cognitive function in elderly, and negatively impacts glucose metabolism. Interrupting sitting with physical activity (PA) bouts may exert beneficial effects on cognitive function via an improved glucose metabolism. Nevertheless, the impact of breaking up prolonged sitting with various frequencies of PA bouts remains unexplored in young sedentary adults. Moreover, we hypothesize that the pattern of the breaks modifies the effects. Thus, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are highly needed to investigate the effects of interrupting sitting with different frequencies of PA on cognitive function and glucose metabolism. We now hypothesize that interrupting sitting with different frequencies of walking breaks differentially affects cognitive function and glucose metabolism.

Objective: The aim is to investigate the effects of breaking up sitting with different frequencies of PA bouts on cognitive function and glucose metabolism in young sedentary adults.

Study design: A randomised, controlled cross-over study will be performed, consisting of four interventions in a counterbalanced order: uninterrupted prolonged sitting, short breaks, moderate breaks, and long breaks.

Intervention: Participants will complete four conditions in a randomized, counterbalanced order: sitting (uninterrupted prolonged sitting without any interruptions), short breaks (walk 1 minute every 10 minutes), moderate breaks (walk 3 minutes every 30 minutes), and long breaks (walk 27 minutes during the intervention). Each condition lasts 4.5 hours.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2024-10-03
• Study First Submitted: 2024-11-12
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-11-19
• Study First Posted: 2024-11-21
• Status Verified: 2025-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-20
• Last Update Posted: 2025-03-24
• Primary Completion: 2025-10
• Study Completion: 2025-10-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 33

Inclusion Criteria

• Men and women aged 18-35 years;
• BMI between 18.5-24.9 kg/m2;
• SB, i.e. sitting for an average of at least 9 hours per day;
• Physically inactive, i.e. engaging in exercise for less than 2 to 3 times per week;
• Stable body weight (weight gain or loss < 3 kg in the past three months);
• Willingness to engage in four 6-hour laboratory visits;
• No difficult cannulation.

Exclusion Criteria

• Not sedentary, i.e. sitting for less than an average of 9 hours per day;
• Physically active, i.e. engaging in exercise for more than 3 times a week;
• Abuse of drugs;
• Use medication to treat BP, lipid, or glucose metabolism;
• Pregnant females.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Mental flexibility	baseline and 5 hours post baseline	It will be assessed using the computer-based Trial Making Test

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Interference	baseline and 5 hours post baseline	Interference is assessed by the computer-based Stroop task
Memory	baseline and 5 hours post baseline	Memory is assessed by the computer-based n-Back Test
Attention	baseline and 5 hours post baseline	Attention is assessed by the paper-based d2 attention Test
Glucose metabolism	baseline, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 1.5 hour, 2 hour, 3 hour, 4 hour, and 5 hour post baseline	Concentration of serum insulin will be tested.
Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)	baseline, 2 hour, 3 hour, and 5 hour post baseline	Concentration of serum BDNF, as one of the exploratory outcomes will be tested.
Blood lipids	baseline, and 5 hours post baseline	As exploratory outcomes, concentration of serum total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) will be tested.
Serum triacylglycerol (TAG)	baseline, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 1.5 hour, 2 hour, 3 hour, 4 hour, and 5 hour post baseline	As another exploratory outcome, concentration of serum TAG will be tested.
Mood	baseline and 5 hours post baseline	Short version of Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire will be used to test mood.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Nutrition and movement science; 🇳🇱 Maastricht, Netherlands