Acute and chronic effects of an intervention aiming to reduce prolonged sitting on glucose regulation in individuals with dysglycaemia.

Gregory J H Biddle; Joseph Henson; Melanie J Davies; David Dunstan; Kamlesh Khunti; James A King; Alex V Rowlands; Charlotte L Edwardson; Thomas Yates
Abstract
Acute studies have consistently demonstrated small-to-medium glycaemic responses to breaking prolonged sitting, yet it is not known whether acute effects are maintained following a period of intervention or whether behavioural interventions lead to sustained benefits. A single arm, 4-week intervention with pre and post "two-arm" randomised cross-over conditions, study was conducted to investigate whether reducing prolonged sitting in free-living affects acute and chronic glucose and insulin responses. Adults aged 40-75 years living with overweight or obesity with an elevated HbA1c (5.7-7.5%) underwent four experimental conditions (two prolonged sitting [CON], two sitting with a self-paced light upright movement breaks [LUMB]) in a randomised order. One of each condition was conducted before and after the intervention. A total of 33 participants completed the study. There was no change in sitting or glucose/insulin levels over the 4-week intervention. However, glucose and insulin were reduced acutely in the LUMB conditions compared with CON (glucose [mmol/L]: CON: 5.77 [5.51; 6.02], LUMB: 5.55 [5.30; 5.81], <i>p</i> = 0.006, insulin [mIU/L]: (CON: 77.70 [61.58; 93.83], LUMB: 61.28 [51.19; 71.38], <i>p</i> =  <0.001); these responses did not change over time. In conclusion, the intervention did not lead to reduced sitting time or chronic changes to postprandial metabolism.
Journal JOURNAL OF SPORTS SCIENCES
ISSN 1466-447X
Published 30 Jan 2025
Volume
Issue
Pages 1-11
DOI 10.1080/02640414.2024.2447660
Type Journal Article
Sponsorship