Very short bouts of non-exercise physical activity associated with metabolic syndrome under free-living conditions in Japanese female adults

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 (PA(all) and MVPA(all)), the PA and MVPA were analyzed based on the bout duration, such as >32 s, >1 min, >3 min, and >5 min (PA(32S), PA(1M), PA(3M), PA(5M); MVPA(32S), MVPA(1M), MVPA(3M), MVPA(5M)). MS was defined according to the Japanese standard based on waist circumfluence, blood lipids, blood glucose, and blood pressure. The frequency of the MVPA(1M) was significantly lower in subjects with MS compared with that in subjects without MS (P < 0.05). The frequency of MVPA(32S) and MVPA(1M) was significantly associated with the HDL cholesterol (P < 0.05). The frequency of PA(3M) and PA(5M) 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.

Combined influence of epoch length, cut-point and bout duration on accelerometry-derived physical activity

“…Most studies investigating bout-accumulated MVPA defined a bout as ≥10 mins of continuous activity above the cut-point threshold [15-17]. Ayabe et al [18] investigated bout durations of <32-s, >1 min, >3 mins and >5 mins in relation with health outcomes. However, there is limited evidence on the influence of allowing shorter or longer bout lengths, and the interaction with cut-point and epoch lengths, on time spent in MVPA in adults.…”

Lower physical activity is a risk factor for a clustering of metabolic risk factors in non-obese and obese Japanese subjects: The Takahata study

“…Both analyses indicate that increasing alcohol intake increases the risk of clustering of MetRFs in non-obese Japanese males. However, earlier studies of MetS have shown a J-shaped relationship between alcohol intake and the risk of MetS [31][32][33]. Indeed, light alcohol consumption was actually associated with a lower risk of MetS [32][33][34], while very heavy alcohol consumption was associated with a substantial increase in the risk of MetS [35].…”

“…These results appear to be contradictory. Indeed, both lower physical activity and excess energy intake were reported to be associated with the MetS [8][9][10][11][28][29][30][31]. MetS is, as described above, essentially obesity in combination with a clustering of other MetRFs.…”

“…The effects of physical activity and energy intake on MetS have been examined in numerous studies [8][9][10][11][29][30][31][32]. However, few studies have examined their effects in non-obese subjects with a clustering of MetRFs.…”

Is fatty liver indicative of a risk of metabolic syndrome among non-obese subjects?

“…Studies of MetS have revealed a J-shaped relationship between alcohol intake and the risk of MetS [5][6][7]. Indeed, light alcohol consumption was actually associated with a lower risk of MetS [6][7][8] whereas very heavy alcohol consumption was associated with a substantial increase in the risk of MetS [9].…”