The Acute Impact of Sit-stand Desks on Post-meal Blood Sugar Levels
- Conditions
- Glucose ToleranceInsulin SensitivitySedentary BehaviourPhysical Activity
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Sitting deskBehavioral: Sit-stand desk
- Registration Number
- NCT02913079
- Lead Sponsor
- University of Prince Edward Island
- Brief Summary
Context and Rationale: Uninterrupted sitting is associated with increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and death, even among people who are physically active. These relationships are likely due to increases in post-meal blood sugar observed when people sit for long periods (e.g. \> 1 hour) without interruption. In contrast to sitting, standing results in large reductions in post-meal blood sugar levels. Our group has recently shown that sit-stand desks result in large (e.g. 2.5 hour/day) reductions in occupational sitting time. Taken together, these findings suggest that sit-stand desks may help to reduce post-meal blood sugar levels. However, this has yet to be examined in the field. Theoretical Approach and Objectives: The objective of this randomized crossover study is to determine whether people have lower blood sugar when using a sit-stand desk, in comparison to a desk that can only be used while sitting. Methods and Procedures: Sixteen participants will be asked to wear a continuous glucose monitor to measure their blood sugar levels during 2 separate conditions. During one condition, they will be asked to use a sit-stand desk to sit and/or stand as much as they like during 1 workday. During the other condition, they will be asked to work at a seated desk for 1 workday. Participants will be provided with identical meals to eat during each of the two conditions. We hypothesize that participants will have lower blood sugar levels on the day when they use the sit-stand desk, in comparison to the day using a traditional seated desk. Significance and Future Use: If our results support this hypothesis, this would suggest that sit-stand desks may be a useful way to reduce blood sugar levels in people at risk for diabetes. This could also lead to larger population-based interventions studying the health impact of sit-stand desks.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 14
- To participate in this study, participants must be between the ages of 20 and 65, and have access to a sit-stand desk (depending on your workspace, we may be able to provide you with a sit-stand desk during the study if you do not already have one).
- Participants will be excluded if they are currently taking any diabetes medications targeting blood sugar or insulin sensitivity as this will impact our primary outcome of postprandial glucose. Participants will also be excluded if they are unable to stand or walk independently, as these are secondary outcomes in the present study.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- CROSSOVER
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Sitting Sitting desk During this condition, participants will work in the sitting position only. Sit-stand desk Sit-stand desk During this condition, participants will sit or stand as much as they like throughout a workday.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Postprandial Glucose 12 hours Postprandial glucose will be assessed over 1 workday in both the experimental and control conditions.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Objectively measured minutes of light, moderate and vigorous physical activity. 24 hours Physical activity time will be assessed over 1 workday during both conditions.
Objectively measured minutes of sitting 24 hours Sitting time will be assessed over 1 workday during both conditions.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
University of Prince Edward Island
🇨🇦Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada