Abstract
To assess the association between very short daily non-exercise physical activity (PA) lasting <5 min and metabolic syndrome (MS). A total of 42 females (50 ± 6 years) wore a pedometer with a one-axial accelerometer (Lifecorder, Kenz, Japan) to determine the time and the frequency of PA and the moderate to vigorous intensity PA (MVPA). In addition to the PA and the MVPA (PAall and MVPAall), the PA and MVPA were analyzed based on the bout duration, such as >32 s, >1 min, >3 min, and >5 min (PA32S, PA1M, PA3M, PA5M; MVPA32S, MVPA1M, MVPA3M, MVPA5M). MS was defined according to the Japanese standard based on waist circumfluence, blood lipids, blood glucose, and blood pressure. The frequency of the MVPA1M was significantly lower in subjects with MS compared with that in subjects without MS (P < 0.05). The frequency of MVPA32S and MVPA1M was significantly associated with the HDL cholesterol (P < 0.05). The frequency of PA3M and PA5M was significantly associated with the fasting glucose level (P < 0.05). In contrast, we could not find any significant relationships between MS and the components of MS and the frequency of PA lasting <32 s. These results demonstrated that very short non-exercise PA, such as MVPA lasting >32 s to 3 min, has significantly associated with the components of MS. The specific advantages with regard to PA lasting <32 s remain unclear.
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Acknowledgments
This part of this study was supported by the Fukuoka University (Global FU program, and Fukuoka University, Institute for Physical Activity), and Kao Research Council for the study of health science.
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None of the authors have any professional relationship with companies or manufactures that will benefit from the results of the present study.
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Communicated by Michael Lindinger.
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Ayabe, M., Kumahara, H., Morimura, K. et al. Very short bouts of non-exercise physical activity associated with metabolic syndrome under free-living conditions in Japanese female adults. Eur J Appl Physiol 112, 3525–3532 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-012-2342-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-012-2342-8