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The Acute Effects of Interrupting Prolonged Sitting With Regular Activity Breaks on Postprandial Glucose and Insulin in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Systematic review of 53 acute crossover trials (39 in meta-analysis): short activity breaks versus prolonged sitting lowered postprandial glucose and insulin incremental AUC (both SMD −0.30), with walking breaks showing the largest glucose and insulin benefits versus other modes.
Design
- SR + MA; databases through 9 Oct 2024
- Eligible: acute (<24 h) crossover RCTs comparing prolonged sitting vs <10 min activity breaks (≥3 breaks / 3 h)
- Included: 53 studies; 39 entered MA
Pooled signals (random effects; abstract)
- Glucose iAUC: SMD −0.30 (95% CI −0.43 to −0.13)
- Insulin iAUC: SMD −0.30 (95% CI −0.46 to −0.14)
- Walking breaks showed largest mode-specific effects (glucose SMD −0.33; insulin SMD −0.44)
- Every 15–20 min interruptions produced the largest glucose/insulin iAUC reductions among frequency bands explored (SMD −0.51 / −0.41 respectively in abstract subgroup summaries)
Evidence hygiene
Laboratory acute designs—pair with post-meal walking pragmatic trials on walking-for-glucose-control without equating to long-term HbA1c proof.
Publication
Gale JT, Martin H, Haszard JJ, Peddie MC. Obes Rev. 2026 May 3:e70152. doi 10.1111/obr.70152. PMID 42070794.
Outcomes
- Effect Size (Cohen's d / SMD)-0.3d (Cohen's d)
- Effect Size (Cohen's d / SMD)-0.3d (Cohen's d)
- Effect Size (Cohen's d / SMD)-0.33d (Cohen's d)