Acute Effects of Frequent Light-Intensity Standing-Based Exercises That Interrupt 8 Hours of Prolonged Sitting on Postprandial Glucose in Stroke Survivors: A Dose-Escalation Trial

Abstract

Background: Interrupting prolonged sitting can attenuate postprandial glucose responses in overweight adults. The dose–response effect in stroke survivors is unknown. The authors investigated the effects of interrupting 8 hours of prolonged sitting with increasingly frequent bouts of light-intensity standing-based exercises on the postprandial glucose response in stroke survivors. Methods: Within-participant, laboratory-based, dose-escalation trial. Participants completed three 8-hour conditions: prolonged sitting and 2 experimental conditions. Experimental conditions involved light-intensity standing-based exercises of increasing frequency (2 × 5 min to 6 × 5 min bouts). Postprandial glucose is reported. Results: Twenty-nine stroke survivors (aged 66 y) participated. Interrupting 8 hours of prolonged sitting with light-intensity standing-based exercises every 90 minutes significantly decreased postprandial glucose (positive incremental area under the curve; −1.1 mmol/L·7 h; 95% confidence interval, −2.0 to −0.1). In the morning (08:00–11:00), postprandial glucose decreased during the 4 × 5 minutes and 6 × 5 minutes conditions (positive incremental area under the curve; −0.8 mmol/L·3 h; 95% confidence interval, −1.3 to −0.3 and −0.8 mmol/L·3 h; 95% confidence interval, −1.5 to −0.2, respectively) compared with prolonged sitting. Conclusion: Interrupting 8 hours of prolonged sitting at least every 90 minutes with light-intensity standing-based exercises attenuates postprandial glucose in stroke survivors. During the morning, postprandial glucose is attenuated when sitting is interrupted every 60 and 90 minutes.

Exercise Prescription for Postprandial Glycemic Management

“…While adjusting exercise bout duration and intensity is crucial to ensure tolerability for individuals based on their abilities and preferences, another essential factor to consider is the frequency of breaks, which appears to influence the post-meal glucose response. Several studies have shown a positive correlation between higher frequencies of activity breaks and greater improvements in postprandial glycemia in both healthy and diabetic populations [ 118 , 119 , 120 ]. While there is some variability in findings, with some studies indicating comparable effects regardless of break frequency, recent evidence suggests that more frequent breaks, such as exercising for 3 min every 15 min of sitting [ 120 ], or for 5 min every 30 min [ 121 ], might represent the optimal strategy for improving the post-meal glucose response.…”