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Breaking up prolonged sitting reduces postprandial glucose and insulin responses
Randomized three-period crossover in 19 overweight/obese adults: interrupting prolonged sitting with 2-minute bouts of light- or moderate-intensity walking every 20 minutes reduced postprandial glucose and insulin incremental areas versus uninterrupted sitting after a mixed meal test drink.
Design
- Randomized three-period crossover; n = 19 (BMI overweight/obese, 45–65 y)
- Conditions: uninterrupted sitting vs light walking 2 min every 20 min vs moderate walking 2 min every 20 min after initial sitting and a standardised test drink
Metabolic outcomes (5 h iAUC after drink)
- Glucose iAUC lower with both walking-break conditions vs uninterrupted sitting (P < 0.01 each)
- Insulin iAUC also lower with both walking conditions vs sitting (P < 0.0001)
Evidence hygiene
- Acute laboratory responses—pair with weeks-long activity trials for HbA1c endpoints.
- Indexed under Walking for glucose control as postprandial interruption evidence complementary to post-meal walk RCTs.
Publication
Dunstan DW, Kingwell BA, Larsen R, et al. Diabetes Care. 2012 May;35(5):976-83. PMID 22374636.
Outcomes
- Postprandial Blood Glucose-25% (Percent Change)
- Insulin incremental AUC (pmol·h/L) reduced with both light- and moderate-intensity walking-break conditions versus uninterrupted sitting (P<0.0001 per abstract).