Leg Fidgeting During Prolonged Sitting Improves Postprandial Glycemic Control in People with Obesity

Abstract

ObjectiveStudies have shown that fidgeting augments metabolic demand and increases blood flow to the moving limbs, whereas prolonged sitting suppresses these factors and exacerbates postprandial glucose excursions. Therefore, the hypothesis of this study was that leg fidgeting during prolonged sitting would improve postprandial glycemic control.MethodsAdults with obesity (n = 20) participated in a randomized crossover trial in which blood glucose and insulin concentrations were measured during a 3‐hour sitting period following the ingestion of a glucose load (75 g). During sitting, participants either remained stationary or intermittently fidgeted both legs (2.5 minutes off and 2.5 minutes on). Accelerometer counts, oxygen consumption, and popliteal‐artery blood flow were also measured during the sitting period.ResultsAs expected, fidgeting increased accelerometer counts (P < 0.01), oxygen consumption (P < 0.01), and blood flow through the popliteal artery (P < 0.05). Notably, fidgeting lowered both glucose (P < 0.01) and insulin (P < 0.05) total area under the curve (AUC) and glucose incremental AUC (P < 0.05). Additionally, there was a strong negative correlation between fidgeting‐induced increases in blood flow and reduced postprandial glucose AUC within the first hour (r = −0.569, P < 0.01).ConclusionsLeg fidgeting is a simple, light‐intensity physical activity that enhances limb blood flow and can be incorporated during prolonged sitting to improve postprandial glycemic control in people with obesity.

A potent physiological method to magnify and sustain soleus oxidative metabolism improves glucose and lipid regulation

“…However, these results were limited to when performing a specialized type of contractile activity. Other types of “low effort” activity do not necessarily activate the soleus muscle metabolism enough to cause the same magnitude as demonstrated in the present experiments ( Gao et al., 2017 ; Pettit-Mee et al., 2021 ; Thorp et al., 2014 ). Other types of activity may also rely more heavily on muscle glycogen and/or may stimulate systemic processes that tend to be counteractive to glucose lowering ( Helge et al., 2007 ; Richter et al., 1988 ).…”

Responsiveness of electromyographically assessed skeletal muscle inactivity: methodological exploration and implications for health benefits

“…Even though sitting is considered a sedentary behaviour, some EMG activity was measured during sitting with all of the thresholds. This is consistent with previous research showing heterogeneity in how people activate their muscles during sitting and standing due to changing posture or fidgeting 17 , 51 , 52 . On average, standing is more active (mean amplitude 2.2% EMG MVC ) than sitting (1.0%EMG MVC ) due to postural muscle activation, and is expected to reduce thigh muscle inactivity compared to sitting 26 .…”

“…Instead, EMG inactivity bout can be interrupted by any muscle activity, like changing posture or fidgeting while seated 17 . Fidgeting-like activities within prolonged sitting have been shown to improve limb blood flow and postprandial glycemic control in people with obesity 52 . Already a very low level of voluntary muscle excitation, or involuntary excitation invoked by electrical stimulation, can increase insulin sensitivity in inactive patients or during bed rest 54 , 55 .…”

Responsiveness of Electromyographically Assessed Skeletal Muscle Inactivity – methodological exploration and implications for health benefits

“…Even though sitting is considered as a sedentary behaviour, some EMG activity was measured during sitting with all of the thresholds. This is consistent with previous research showing heterogeneity in how people activate their muscles during sitting and standing due to changing postures or dgeting 18,53,54 . On average, standing is more active (mean amplitude 2.2% EMG MVC ) than sitting (1.0 %EMG MV ) due to postural muscle activation, and is expected to reduce thigh muscle inactivity as compared to sitting 27 .…”

“…Instead, EMG inactivity bout can be interrupted by any muscle activity, like changing posture or dgeting while seated 18 . Fidgeting-like activities within prolonged sitting have been shown to improve limb blood ow and postprandial glycemic control in people with obesity 54 . Already a very low level of voluntary muscle excitation, or involuntary excitation invoked by electrical stimulation, can increase insulin sensitivity in inactive patients or during bed rest 56,57 .…”