Acute effects of interrupting prolonged sitting with short bouts of physical activity on postprandial metabolism in sedentary adults: A multi-level meta-analysis.
Mubai Han, Xiaotao Li
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised cross-over trials assessed acute effects of short activity breaks during prolonged sitting on postprandial metabolism in sedentary adults. Across 15 studies, breaks were associated with lower postprandial glucose (Hedge’s g = -0.726, 95% CI -1.167 to -0.285), triglycerides (g = -0.48, 95% CI -0.74 to -0.22) and insulin (g = -0.784, 95% CI -1.144 to -0.425). Glucose showed a linear dose-response relationship, while insulin did not; effects did not differ significantly by meal type.
Key findings
- Activity breaks reduced postprandial glucose (Hedge’s g = -0.726, 95% CI -1.167 to -0.285).
- Triglycerides decreased (g = -0.48, 95% CI -0.74 to -0.22), although the prediction interval included zero.
- Insulin decreased (g = -0.784, 95% CI -1.144 to -0.425), with no dose-response relationship (p = 0.409).
- For glucose, each 10 MET-min/day increment reduced g by 0.08 (95% CI -0.108 to -0.051); meal-type differences were not significant (p = 0.317).
Why it matters
Prolonged sitting is common, and these pooled acute findings suggest that brief activity interruptions can improve several post-meal metabolic measures in sedentary adults. The glucose dose-response result may help frame activity-break exposure as a modifiable behaviour, while the absence of meal-type differences suggests the observed effects were not confined to a particular meal. These results concern acute responses, not long-term clinical outcomes.
What to keep in mind
The review assessed acute effects, so it does not establish whether metabolic changes persist or translate into long-term clinical benefit. The triglyceride prediction interval included zero.