Interrupting Prolonged Sitting with Intermittent Walking Increases Postprandial Gut Hormone Responses

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Metabolic Health
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Prolonged sitting is linked to metabolic dysfunction.
• Continuous exercise can improve postprandial gut hormone responses.
• The effect of interrupted sitting on gut hormones is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if interrupting prolonged sitting with short walking bouts enhances postprandial gut hormone secretion.
• To compare the effects of continuous sitting versus interrupted sitting on GLP-1, PYY, and GIP levels.
• To assess the impact on adipose tissue dipeptidyl peptidase 4 secretion.

Main Methods:

• A randomized crossover study involving 10 participants with central overweight/obesity.
• Participants underwent a 5.5-hour period of either continuous sitting (SIT) or sitting interrupted by 2-minute brisk walks every 20 minutes (BREAKS).
• Blood samples were analyzed for postprandial GLP-1, PYY, and GIP; adipose tissue was analyzed for DPP-4 secretion.

Main Results:

• Postprandial GLP-1 and PYY levels were significantly elevated in the BREAKS trial compared to SIT (26% and 31% increase, respectively).
• No significant effect was observed on glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) concentrations.
• Net adipose tissue dipeptidyl peptidase 4 secretion did not differ between the conditions.

Conclusions:

• Intermittent walking breaks during prolonged sitting effectively increase postprandial GLP-1 and PYY concentrations.
• This strategy may be beneficial for improving metabolic health in middle-aged individuals with central adiposity.
• Short bouts of activity can modulate gut hormone responses, counteracting sedentary behavior effects.