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    Resistance exercise breaks during prolonged sitting augment the blood flow response to a subsequent oral glucose load in sedentary adults


    Rogers, Emily M., Banks, Nile, Trachta, Emma R., Wolf, Morgan S., Berry, Alexander C., Stanhewicz, Anna E., Carr, Lucas J., Gibbs, Bethany Barone and Jenkins, Nathaniel D. M. (2024) Resistance exercise breaks during prolonged sitting augment the blood flow response to a subsequent oral glucose load in sedentary adults. Experimental Physiology. pp. 1-17. ISSN 0958-0670

    Abstract

    Sitting-induced impairments in postprandial blood flow are an important link between sedentary behaviour and cardiometabolic disease risk. The objective of this work was to examine the effects of resistance exercise breaks (REB) performed every 30 min during an otherwise sedentary 3-h period on the vasodilatory response to a subsequent oral glucose load in sedentary adults. Twenty-four sedentary adults (27 ± 7 years, 16 females) completed two conditions. Fasting blood glucose, insulin, popliteal artery blood flow (PABF) and gastrocnemius perfusion were measured immediately before standardized breakfast consumption. After breakfast, the 3-h REB or uninterrupted (SIT) intervention period commenced. Participants sat at a workstation, and popliteal artery shear rate (PASR) was measured 60 and 120 min into this period. In the REB condition, participants performed a 3-min REB (3 × [20 s squats, 20 s high knees, 20 s calf raises]) every 30 min. Following the intervention period, baseline measurements were repeated. Participants then consumed a 75 g glucose beverage, and PABF and perfusion were measured every 30–60 min for the following 120 min. Relative to SIT, REB increased PASR at 60 min (+31.4 ± 9.2/s, P = 0.037) and 120 min (+37.4 ± 10.2/s, P = 0.019) into the intervention period. Insulin and glucose increased (P < 0.001) in response to glucose consumption, with no differences between conditions (P ≥ 0.299). In response to the glucose load, perfusion (1.57 vs. 1.11 mL/100 mL/min, P = 0.023) and PABF (+45.3 ± 11.8 mL/min, P = 0.001) were greater after REB versus SIT. Performing 3-min REB every 30 min during an otherwise sedentary 3-h period augmented leg blood flow responses to an oral glucose load.
    Item Type: Article
    Keywords: exercise breaks; sedentary behaviour; vascular insulin sensitivity;
    Academic Unit: Faculty of Science and Engineering > Sports Science and Nutrition
    Item ID: 20728
    Identification Number: 10.1113/EP091535
    Depositing User: Nile Banks
    Date Deposited: 21 Oct 2025 15:10
    Journal or Publication Title: Experimental Physiology
    Publisher: Wiley
    Refereed: Yes
    Related URLs:
    Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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