MedPath

Effect of Breaking up Prolonged Sitting on Metabolic Flexibility

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Health Behavior
Registration Number
NCT02258438
Lead Sponsor
University of Colorado, Denver
Brief Summary

The investigators propose in this project to determine the effect of 3 days of frequent interruption of prolonged sitting on metabolic health in healthy overweight sedentary adults (n=24), as compared to 3 days including a single long bout of isocaloric exercise or a control condition where subjects do not exercise but are subjected to prolonged sitting. The investigators believe that this proposed project will provide an initial evidence base for the health benefits of breaking up prolonged sitting with short bursts of moderate-intensity activity, like walking.

Detailed Description

Although public-health recommendations to engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (at least 30min, 5 days / week) have been widely promulgated by the government, most people are physically inactive. Sedentary behaviors, like time spent sitting, are associated with serious implications on metabolic health, indicating that even in individuals who regularly exercise a reduction in time spent sitting can confer health benefits. Encouraging recent evidence shows that walking breaks throughout the day are an effective strategy to offset the deleterious effects of prolonged uninterrupted sitting. Further data however are needed to better understand the effect of these microbursts of activity along the day. The investigators propose in this project to determine the effect of 3 days of frequent interruption of prolonged sitting on metabolic health in healthy overweight sedentary adults (n=24), as compared to 3 days including a single long bout of isocaloric exercise or a control condition where subjects do not exercise but are subjected to prolonged sitting. Plasma glucose, insulin, triglycerides and free fatty acids concentrations and the use of substrate (glucose, fat or protein) to provide energy to the body in response to meals consumption will be measured on day 3 of each of these three conditions. The investigators will furthermore assess the ability of the participants to perform the interventions on physical activity at the end of each day over the three days of intervention (2 days in free-living conditions and one day in a controlled environment). The investigators believe that this proposed project will provide an initial evidence base for the health benefits of breaking up prolonged sitting with short bursts of moderate-intensity activity, like walking. This innovative strategy may be more effective at combating the adverse effects of sedentary behaviors than more traditional approaches like structured exercise.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
28
Inclusion Criteria
  • overweight but weight stable (less than +/- 3kg over previous 6 months) male and female adults (n=24) will be recruited.
  • age between 19-45 years old,
  • a BMI of 27-33 kg/m2,
  • inactive (≤ 1.5hr/wk of moderate-to-vigorous activity),
  • sedentary (office employees who are spending more than 6hrs/day in sitting position) and
  • English-speaking.
Exclusion Criteria
  • any history of renal, cardiovascular or hepatic diseases,
  • type 1 or 2 diabetes,
  • cancer,
  • pregnancy,
  • smoking,
  • consumption of drugs or alcohol (>40g/d),
  • any medications known to interfere with lipid or energy metabolism,
  • known physical activity contraindications, or major illness/physical problems (acute or chronic) that may limit their ability to perform the walking activities and
  • menopause (defined as no menses in the prior 6 months). The use of birth pill control will be accepted. Women are asked to avoid pregnancy until completion of Condition C.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Total substrate oxidation1 day

Total fat oxidation during the test day will be determined using whole-room indirect calorimetry. O2 consumption and CO2 production will be determined from the flow rates and differences in gas concentrations between air entering and air exiting the calorimeter as previously described

Dietary fat oxidation1 day

Subjects will collect their own hourly breath sampling for 13CO2 by blowing through a straw into two 15ml Vacutainer after the investigators will have shown them the procedure. Breath CO2 will be sampled directly from the Vacutainer with a syringe, and 13CO2 /12CO2 measured with Isotopic Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IRMS).

Postprandial plasma insulin and glucose response1 day

Plasma glucose and insulin will be measured in fasting conditions and hourly during 12hrs following a standard meal consumption. The area under the curve will be calculated for both plasma glucose and insulin. This area will represent the postprandial response to a meal for both insulin and glucose.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Colorado Hospital

🇺🇸

Aurora, Colorado, United States

University of Colorado Hospital
🇺🇸Aurora, Colorado, United States

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