Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The Acute Metabolic and Vascular Impact of Interrupting Prolonged Sitting: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

  • Systematic Review
  • Published:
Sports Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

The aim was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis analyzing the impact of up to 24 h of prolonged sitting on postprandial glucose, insulin and triglyceride responses, blood pressure and vascular function, in comparison to sitting interrupted with light- to moderate-intensity physical activity.

Methods

To be included, studies had to examine the impact of prolonged sitting lasting < 24 h in apparently healthy males or females of any age. Studies were identified from searches of the MEDLINE, CINAHL and SportDISCUS databases on July 6, 2016. Study quality was assessed using the Downs and Black Checklist; publication bias was assessed via funnel plot.

Results

Forty-four studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review; of these, 20 were included in the meta-analysis, which compared prolonged sitting to the effects of interrupting sitting with regular activity breaks on postprandial glucose, insulin and triglycerides. When compared to prolonged sitting, regular activity breaks lowered postprandial glucose (d = − 0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] − 0.50 to − 0.21) and insulin (d = − 0.37, 95% CI − 0.53 to − 0.20), but not triglyceride responses (d = 0.06, 95% CI − 0.15 to 0.26). Subgroup analyses indicated reductions in postprandial triglyceride responses only occurred 12–16 h after the intervention. The magnitude of the reductions in glucose, insulin or triglyceride response was not modified by the intensity of the activity breaks, the macronutrient composition of the test meal, or the age or body mass index of participants.

Conclusion

Prolonged sitting results in moderate elevations in postprandial glucose and insulin responses when compared to sitting interrupted with activity breaks.

PROSPERO ID

CRD42015020907.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Tremblay MS, Aubert S, Barnes JD, Saunders TJ, Carson V, Latimer-Cheung AE, et al. Sedentary Behavior Research Network (SBRN)—Terminology Consensus Project process and outcome. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2017;14:75.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. Biswas A, Oh PI, Faulkner GE, Bajaj RR, Silver MA, Mitchell MS, et al. Sedentary time and its association with risk for disease incidence, mortality, and hospitalization in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(2):123–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Benatti F, Ried-Larsen. The effects of breaking up prolonged sitting time: a review of experimental studies. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2015;47(10):2053–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Chastin SF, Egerton T, Leask C, Stamatakis E. Meta-analysis of the relationship between breaks in sedentary behavior and cardiometabolic health. Obesity. 2015;23(9):1800–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Saunders TJ, Larouche R, Colley RC, Tremblay MS. Acute sedentary behaviour and markers of cardiometabolic risk: a systematic review of intervention studies. J Nutr Metab. 2012;2012:1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Homer AR, Fenemor SP, Perry TL, Rehrer NJ, Cameron CM, Skeaff CM, et al. Regular activity breaks combined with physical activity improve postprandial plasma triglyceride, nonesterified fatty acid, and insulin responses in healthy, normal weight adults: a randomized crossover trial. J Clin Lipidol. 2017;11(5):1268–79.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Saunders TJ, Chaput J-P, Goldfield GS, Colley RC, Kenny GP, Doucet E, et al. Prolonged sitting and markers of cardiometabolic disease risk in children and youth: a randomized crossover study. Metab Clin Exp. 2013;62(10):1423–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Sisson SB, Anderson AE, Short KR, Gardner AW, Whited T, Robledo C, et al. Light activity following a meal and postprandial cardiometabolic risk in adolescents. Pediatr Exerc Sci. 2013;25(3):347–59.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Tomiyama H, Yamashina A. Non-invasive vascular function tests: their pathophysiological background and clinical application. Circ J Off J Jpn Circ Soc. 2010;74(1):24–33.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Thosar SS, Bielko SL, Wiggins CC, Wallace JP. Differences in brachial and femoral artery responses to prolonged sitting. Cardiovasc Ultrasound. 2014;12(1):50.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. Larsen RN, Kingwell BA, Sethi P, Cerin E, Owen N, Dunstan DW. Breaking up prolonged sitting reduces resting blood pressure in overweight/obese adults. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2014;24(9):976–82.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Ceriello A, Esposito K, Piconi L, Ihnat MA, Thorpe JE, Testa R, et al. Oscillating glucose is more deleterious to endothelial function and oxidative stress than mean glucose in normal and type 2 diabetic patients. Diabetes. 2008;57(5):1349–54.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: the PRISMA statement. Ann Intern Med. 2009;151(4):264–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Goodman JM, Thomas SG, Burr J. Evidence-based risk assessment and recommendations for exercise testing and physical activity clearance in apparently healthy individuals. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2011;36(S1):S14–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Carson V, Hunter S, Kuzik N, Gray C, Poitras V, Chaput J-P, et al. Systematic review of the relationships between sedentary behaviour and health indicators in school-aged children and youth: an update. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2016;6(Suppl. 3):S240–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Saunders T, Gray C, Poitras V, Chaput JP, Janssen I, Katzmarzyk P, et al. Combinations of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep: relationships with health indicators in school-aged children and youth. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2016;41(Suppl. 3):S283–93.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Howley ET. Type of activity: resistance, aerobic and leisure versus occupational physical activity. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;33(6 Suppl):S364–9 (discussion S419–420).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Downs SH, Black N. The feasibility of creating a checklist for the assessment of the methodological quality both of randomised and non-randomised studies of health care interventions. J Epidemiol Community Health. 1998;52(6):377–84.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Welle S. Metabolic responses to a meal during rest and low-intensity exercise. Am J Clin Nutr. 1984;40(5):990–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Mikines KJ, Sonne B, Farrell PA, Tronier B, Galbo H. Effect of physical exercise on sensitivity and responsiveness to insulin in humans. Am J Physiol. 1988;254(3 Pt 1):E248–59.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Hardman AE, Aldred HE. Walking during the postprandial period decreases alimentary lipaemia. J Cardiovasc Risk. 1995;2(1):71–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Tsetsonis NV, Hardman AE. Reduction in postprandial lipemia after walking: influence of exercise intensity. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1996;28(10):1235–42.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Marion-Latard F, Crampes F, Zakaroff-Girard A, De Glisezinski I, Harant I, Stich V, et al. Post-exercise increase of lipid oxidation after a moderate exercise bout in untrained healthy obese men. Horm Metab Res Horm Stoffwechselforschung Horm Metab. 2003;35(2):97–103.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Tsofliou F, Pitsiladis YP, Malkova D, Wallace AM, Lean MEJ. Moderate physical activity permits acute coupling between serum leptin and appetite-satiety measures in obese women. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord J Int Assoc Study Obes. 2003;27(11):1332–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Katsanos CS, Grandjean PW, Moffatt RJ. Effects of low and moderate exercise intensity on postprandial lipemia and postheparin plasma lipoprotein lipase activity in physically active men. J Appl Physiol. 2004;96(1):181–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Høstmark AT, Ekeland GS, Beckstrøm AC, Meen HD. Postprandial light physical activity blunts the blood glucose increase. Prev Med. 2006;42(5):369–71.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Aadland E, Høstmark AT. Very light physical activity after a meal blunts the rise in blood glucose and insulin. Open Nutr J. 2008;2:94–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Tolfrey K, Doggett A, Boyd C, Pinner S, Sharples A, Barrett L. Postprandial triacylglycerol in adolescent boys: a case for moderate exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2008;40(6):1049–56.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Nygaard H, Tomten SE, Høstmark AT. Slow postmeal walking reduces postprandial glycemia in middle-aged women. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2009;34(6):1087–92.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Hashimoto S, Ootani K, Hayashi S, Naito M. Acute effects of shortly pre- versus postprandial aerobic exercise on postprandial lipoprotein metabolism in healthy but sedentary young women. J Atheroscler Thromb. 2011;18(10):891–900.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Stephens BR, Granados K, Zderic TW, Hamilton MT, Braun B. Effects of 1 day of inactivity on insulin action in healthy men and women: interaction with energy intake. Metabolism. 2011;60(7):941–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Dunstan DW, Kingwell BA, Larsen R, Healy GN, Cerin E, Hamilton MT, et al. Breaking up prolonged sitting reduces postprandial glucose and insulin responses. Diabetes Care. 2012;35(5):976–83.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  33. Lunde MSH, Hjellset VT, Høstmark AT. Slow post meal walking reduces the blood glucose response: an exploratory study in female Pakistani immigrants. J Immigr Minor Health. 2012;14(5):816–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Takaishi T, Imaeda K, Tanaka T, Moritani T, Hayashi T. A short bout of stair climbing-descending exercise attenuates postprandial hyperglycemia in middle-aged males with impaired glucose tolerance. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab Physiol Appl Nutr Metab. 2012;37(1):193–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Tolfrey K, Bentley C, Goad M, Varley J, Willis S, Barrett L. Effect of energy expenditure on postprandial triacylglycerol in adolescent boys. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2012;112(1):23–31.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Altenburg TM, Rotteveel J, Dunstan DW, Salmon J, Chinapaw MJM. The effect of interrupting prolonged sitting time with short, hourly, moderate-intensity cycling bouts on cardiometabolic risk factors in healthy, young adults. J Appl Physiol. 2013;115(12):1751–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Farah NMF, Gill JMR. Effects of exercise before or after meal ingestion on fat balance and postprandial metabolism in overweight men. Br J Nutr. 2013;109(12):2297–307.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Gonzalez JT, Veasey RC, Rumbold PLS, Stevenson EJ. Breakfast and exercise contingently affect postprandial metabolism and energy balance in physically active males. Br J Nutr. 2013;110(4):721–32.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Hashimoto S, Hayashi S, Yoshida A, Naito M. Acute effects of postprandial aerobic exercise on glucose and lipoprotein metabolism in healthy young women. J Atheroscler Thromb. 2013;20(2):204–13.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Miyashita M, Park J-H, Takahashi M, Suzuki K, Stensel D, Nakamura Y. Postprandial lipaemia: effects of sitting, standing and walking in healthy normolipidaemic humans. Int J Sports Med. 2013;34(1):21–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Peddie MC, Bone JL, Rehrer NJ, Skeaff CM, Gray AR, Perry TL. Breaking prolonged sitting reduces postprandial glycemia in healthy, normal-weight adults: a randomized crossover trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013;98(2):358–66.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Thorp AA, Kingwell BA, Sethi P, Hammond L, Owen N, Dunstan DW. Alternating bouts of sitting and standing attenuate postprandial glucose responses. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2014;46(11):2053–61.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Bailey DP, Locke CD. Breaking up prolonged sitting with light-intensity walking improves postprandial glycemia, but breaking up sitting with standing does not. J Sci Med Sport. 2015;18(3):294–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Belcher BR, Berrigan D, Papachristopoulou A, Brady SM, Bernstein SB, Brychta RJ, et al. Effects of interrupting children’s sedentary behaviors with activity on metabolic function: a randomized trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015;100(10):3735–43.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Larsen RN, Kingwell BA, Robinson C, Hammond L, Cerin E, Shaw JE, et al. Breaking up of prolonged sitting over three days sustains, but does not enhance, lowering of postprandial plasma glucose and insulin in overweight and obese adults. Clin Sci Lond Engl 1979. 2015;129:117–27.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Ross K, Hinckson E, Zinn C. Effect of intermittent sitting time on acute postprandial lipemia in children. J Clin Transl Endocrinol. 2015;2(2):72–6.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  47. Bailey DP, Broom DR, Chrismas BCR, Taylor L, Flynn E, Hough J. Breaking up prolonged sitting time with walking does not affect appetite or gut hormone concentrations but does induce an energy deficit and suppresses postprandial glycaemia in sedentary adults. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab Physiol Appl Nutr Metab. 2016;41(3):324–31.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Hansen RK, Andersen JB, Vinther AS, Pielmeier U, Larsen RG. Breaking up prolonged sitting does not alter postprandial glycemia in young, normal-weight men and women. Int J Sports Med. 2016;37(14):1097–102.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Hawari NSA, Al-Shayji I, Wilson J, Gill JMR. Frequency of breaks in sedentary time and postprandial metabolic responses. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2016;48(12):2495–502.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Henson J, Davies MJ, Bodicoat DH, Edwardson CL, Gill JMR, Stensel DJ, et al. Breaking up prolonged sitting with standing or walking attenuates the postprandial metabolic response in postmenopausal women: a randomized acute study. Diabetes Care. 2016;39(1):130–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Wennberg P, Boraxbekk C-J, Wheeler M, Howard B, Dempsey PC, Lambert G, et al. Acute effects of breaking up prolonged sitting on fatigue and cognition: a pilot study. BMJ Open. 2016;6(2):e009630.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  52. Bailey DP, Maylor BD, Orton CJ, Zakrzewski-Fruer JK. Effects of breaking up prolonged sitting following low and high glycaemic index breakfast consumption on glucose and insulin concentrations. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2017;117(7):1299–307.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Fletcher EA, Salmon J, McNaughton SA, Orellana L, Wadley GD, Bruce C, et al. Effects of breaking up sitting on adolescents’ postprandial glucose after consuming meals varying in energy: a cross-over randomised trial. J Sci Med Sport. 2017;21(3):280–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. McCarthy M, Edwardson CL, Davies MJ, Henson J, Bodicoat DH, Khunti K, et al. Fitness moderates glycemic responses to sitting and light activity breaks. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2017;49(11):2216–22.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. McCarthy M, Edwardson CL, Davies MJ, Henson J, Rowlands A, King JA, et al. Breaking up sedentary time with seated upper body activity can regulate metabolic health in obese high-risk adults: a randomized crossover trial. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2017;19(12):1732–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Pulsford RM, Blackwell J, Hillsdon M, Kos K. Intermittent walking, but not standing, improves postprandial insulin and glucose relative to sustained sitting: a randomised cross-over study in inactive middle-aged men. J Sci Med Sport. 2017;20(3):278–83.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Schlierf G, Dinsenbacher A, Kather H, Kohlmeier M, Haberbosch W. Mitigation of alimentary lipemia by postprandial exercise—phenomena and mechanisms. Metabolism. 1987;36(8):726–30.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Zeigler ZS, Mullane SL, Crespo NC, Buman MP, Gaesser GA. Effects of standing and light-intensity activity on ambulatory blood pressure. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2016;48(2):175–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Cohen J. Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge; 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Galassi A, Reynolds K, He J. Metabolic syndrome and risk of cardiovascular disease: a meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2006;119(10):812–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Levitan EB, Song Y, Ford ES, Liu S. Is nondiabetic hyperglycemia a risk factor for cardiovascular disease? A meta-analysis of prospective studies. Arch Intern Med. 2004;164(19):2147–55.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Bansal S, Buring JE, Rifai N, Mora S, Sacks FM, Ridker PM. Fasting compared with nonfasting triglycerides and risk of cardiovascular events in women. JAMA. 2007;298(3):309–16.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Nordestgaard BG, Benn M, Schnohr P, Tybjærg-Hansen A. Nonfasting triglycerides and risk of myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, and death in men and women. JAMA. 2007;298(3):299–308.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Peddie MC, Rehrer NJ, Perry TL. Physical activity and postprandial lipidemia: are energy expenditure and lipoprotein lipase activity the real modulators of the positive effect? Prog Lipid Res. 2012;51(1):11–22.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Tremblay MS, Colley RC, Saunders TJ, Healy GN, Owen N. Physiological and health implications of a sedentary lifestyle. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2010;35(6):725–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Bergouignan A, Latouche C, Heywood S, Grace MS, Reddy-Luthmoodoo M, Natoli AK, et al. Frequent interruptions of sedentary time modulates contraction- and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake pathways in muscle: ancillary analysis from randomized clinical trials. Sci Rep. 2016;24(6):32044.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Latouche C, Jowett JBM, Carey AL, Bertovic DA, Owen N, Dunstan DW, et al. Effects of breaking up prolonged sitting on skeletal muscle gene expression. J Appl Physiol. 2013;114(4):453–60.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Hamilton MT, Hamilton DG, Zderic TW. Role of low energy expenditure and sitting in obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Diabetes. 2007;56(11):2655.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Boyd R, Leigh B, Stuart P. Capillary versus venous bedside blood glucose estimations. Emerg Med J. 2005;22(3):177–9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Thennadil SN, Rennert JL, Wenzel BJ, Hazen KH, Ruchti TL, Block MB. Comparison of glucose concentration in interstitial fluid, and capillary and venous blood during rapid changes in blood glucose levels. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2001;3(3):357–65.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Dempsey PC, Larsen RN, Sethi P, Sacre JW, Straznicky NE, Cohen ND, et al. Benefits for type 2 diabetes of interrupting prolonged sitting with brief bouts of light walking or simple resistance activities. Diabetes Care. 2016;39(6):964–72.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Dempsey PC, Owen N, Yates TE, Kingwell BA, Dunstan DW. Sitting less and moving more: improved glycaemic control for type 2 diabetes prevention and management. Curr Diabetes Rep. 2016;16(11):114.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Diaz KM, Howard VJ, Hutto B, Colabianchi N, Vena JE, Blair SN, et al. Patterns of sedentary behavior in US middle-age and older adults: the REGARDS study. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2016;48(3):430–8.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Human Sciences, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 4P3, Canada

    Travis J. Saunders & Brittany MacEwen

  2. Graduate Program in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Physical Therapy, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada

    Hayden F. Atkinson

  3. Wolf Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada

    Hayden F. Atkinson

  4. Collaborative Graduate Training Program in Musculoskeletal Health Research, Bone and Joint Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada

    Hayden F. Atkinson

  5. Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada

    Jamie Burr

  6. Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Otago, New Zealand

    C. Murray Skeaff & Meredith C. Peddie

Authors
  1. Travis J. Saunders
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hayden F. Atkinson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jamie Burr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Brittany MacEwen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. C. Murray Skeaff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Meredith C. Peddie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Travis J. Saunders.

Ethics declarations

Funding

Meredith Peddie’s work was supported by a Research Fellowship from the National Heart Foundation of New Zealand (Grant no. 1745). Hayden Atkinson’s work was supported by a Summer Undergraduate Research Award from the University of Prince Edward Island. Travis Saunders is supported by the Jeanne and J.-Louis Lévesque Research Professorship in Nutrisciences and Health. No other sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this article.

Conflict of interest

Travis Saunders has received research and/or in-kind support from Stepscount, Fitabase, and Ergotron. Hayden Atkinson, Jamie Burr, Brittany MacEwen, Murray Skeaff and Meredith Peddie declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

40279_2018_963_MOESM1_ESM.tiff

Figure S1 Effect (Cohen’s d) of regular activity breaks (< 10 min in duration) compared to prolonged sitting on postprandial glucose responses, stratified by intensity of activity breaks. Studies are sorted within each subgroup by age of participants. The diamond indicates the standardized mean difference (SMD) with associated 95% confidence interval for each subgroup (TIFF 929 kb)

40279_2018_963_MOESM2_ESM.tiff

Figure S2 Effect (Cohen’s d) of regular activity breaks (< 10 min in duration) compared to prolonged sitting on postprandial insulin responses, stratified by intensity of activity breaks. Studies are sorted within each subgroup by age of participants. The diamond indicates the standardized mean difference (SMD) with associated 95% confidence interval for each subgroup (TIFF 1019 kb)

40279_2018_963_MOESM3_ESM.tiff

Figure S3 Effect (Cohen’s d) of regular activity breaks (< 10 min in duration) compared to prolonged sitting on postprandial triglyceride responses, stratified by intensity of activity breaks. Studies are sorted within each subgroup by age of participants. The diamond indicates the standardized mean difference (SMD) with associated 95% confidence interval for each subgroup (TIFF 1092 kb)

40279_2018_963_MOESM4_ESM.tiff

Figure S4 Effect (Cohen’s d) of regular activity breaks (< 10 min in duration) compared to prolonged sitting on postprandial glucose responses, stratified by timing of the test meal. The diamond indicates the standardized mean difference (SMD) with associated 95% confidence interval for each subgroup (TIFF 1006 kb)

40279_2018_963_MOESM5_ESM.tiff

Figure S5 Effect (Cohen’s d) of regular activity breaks (< 10 min in duration) compared to prolonged sitting on postprandial insulin responses, stratified by timing of the test meal. The diamond indicates the standardized mean difference (SMD) with associated 95% confidence interval for each subgroup (TIFF 1105 kb)

40279_2018_963_MOESM6_ESM.tiff

Figure S6 Effect (Cohen’s d) of regular activity breaks (< 10 min in duration) compared to prolonged sitting on postprandial triglyceride responses, stratified by timing of the test meal. The diamond indicates the standardized mean difference (SMD) with associated 95% confidence interval for each subgroup (TIFF 1156 kb)

Supplementary material 7 (XLSX 29 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Saunders, T.J., Atkinson, H.F., Burr, J. et al. The Acute Metabolic and Vascular Impact of Interrupting Prolonged Sitting: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med 48, 2347–2366 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-018-0963-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-018-0963-8

Search

Navigation