Acute Effects of Sedentary Behavior on Ankle Torque Assessed with a Custom-Made Electronic Dynamometer

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Musculoskeletal Health
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Sedentary behavior negatively impacts overall health and the musculoskeletal system.
• Understanding the effects of different activity levels on foot muscle strength is crucial for maintaining musculoskeletal health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of time spent in active versus sedentary behavior on foot muscle strength.
• To compare the acute effects of prolonged sitting and low-to-moderate activity on ankle torque.

Main Methods:

• Observational study involving eight healthy participants.
• Measurement of peak ankle torque using a portable electronic dynamometer.
• Capturing maximal voluntary isometric contractions of plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscles.

Main Results:

• Average peak ankle torque significantly decreased after 6 hours in both static (sitting) and active behaviors (p = 0.019).
• Active behavior resulted in higher average peak torque compared to static behavior (p < 0.001).
• Increased duration of both static and active behavior correlated with reduced force during ankle torque testing.

Conclusions:

• Both prolonged sitting and low-to-moderate activity acutely reduce foot muscle strength.
• Sedentary behavior (sitting) is associated with a more significant reduction in ankle torque compared to active behavior.
• Minimizing sedentary time and incorporating regular physical activity may be important for maintaining foot muscle strength.