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Breaking prolonged sitting increases 24-h physical activity and self-perceived energy levels but does not acutely affect cognition in healthy adults

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Abstract

Introduction

It is unknown whether predetermined (un)interrupted sitting within a laboratory setting will induce compensatory changes in human behaviours (energy intake and physical activity) once people return to a free-living environment. The effects of breaking up prolonged sitting on cognition are also unclear.

Methods

Twenty-four (male = 13) healthy participants [age 31 ± 8 y, BMI 22.7 ± 2.3 kg/m2 (mean ± SD)] completed 320 min mixed-feeding trials under prolonged sitting (SIT) or with 2 min walking at 6.4 km/h every 20 min (ACTIVE), in a randomised crossover design. Human behaviours were recorded post-trial under free-living conditions until midnight. Cognitive performance was evaluated before and immediately after SIT and ACTIVE trials. Self-perceived sensations (appetite, energy and mood) and finger prick blood glucose levels were collected at regular intervals throughout the trials.

Results

There were no differences between trials in eating behaviour and spontaneous physical activity (both, p > 0.05) in free-living conditions, resulting in greater overall total step counts [11,680 (10740,12620) versus 6049 (4845,7253) steps] and physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) over 24-h period in ACTIVE compared to SIT (all, p < 0.05). Greater self-perceived levels of energy and lower blood glucose iAUC were found in ACTIVE trial compared to SIT trial (both, p < 0.05). No differences were found in cognitive performance between trials (all, p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Breaking up sitting does not elicit subsequent behavioural compensation, resulting in greater 24-h step counts and PAEE in healthy adults. Breaking up sitting reduces postprandial glucose concentrations and elicits greater self-perceived energy levels, but these positive effects do not acutely translate into improved cognitive function.

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Data availability

Data generated or analysed during this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank all the participants for their time and effort in participating in this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan

    Feng-Chih Kuo

  2. Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, National Taiwan Normal University, 162, Section 1, Heping E. Rd, Taipei, Taiwan

    Yun-Ting Lin, Ting-Yu Chueh, Yu-Kai Chang, Tsung-Min Hung & Yung-Chih Chen

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  1. Feng-Chih Kuo
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Contributions

F-CK was responsible for study design, funding, data collection and manuscript revision. Y-TL was responsible for study conduct, data collection and manuscript revision. T-YC, Y-KC and T-MH were responsible for the design of cognitive tests and manuscript revision. Y-CC was responsible for the study design, funding, data and statistical analysis, manuscript revision and wrote the initial draft of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Yung-Chih Chen.

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Communicated by Klaas R Westerterp.

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Kuo, FC., Lin, YT., Chueh, TY. et al. Breaking prolonged sitting increases 24-h physical activity and self-perceived energy levels but does not acutely affect cognition in healthy adults. Eur J Appl Physiol 124, 445–455 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-023-05278-1

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