Breaking Up Evening Sitting with Resistance Activity Improves Postprandial Glycemic Response: A Randomized Crossover Study

INTRODUCTION: Interrupting sedentary time during the day reduces postprandial glycemia (a risk factor for cardiometabolic disease). However, it is not known if benefits exist for postprandial glucose, insulin and triglyceride responses in the evening, and if these benefits differ by body mass index (BMI) category. METHODS: In a randomized crossover study, 30 participants (25.4 ± 5.4 yr old; BMI 18.5–24.9: n = 10, BMI 25–29.9: n = 10, BMI ≥30: n = 10) completed two intervention arms, beginning at ~1700 h: prolonged sitting for 4 h, and sitting with regular activity breaks of 3 min of resistance exercises every 30 min. Plasma glucose, insulin, and triglyceride concentrations were measured in response to two meals fed at baseline and 120 min. Four-hour incremental area under the curve was compared between interventions. Moderation by BMI status was explored. RESULTS: Overall, when compared with prolonged sitting, regular activity breaks lowered plasma glucose and insulin incremental area under the curve by 31.5% (95% confidence interval = −49.3% to −13.8%) and 26.6% (−39.6% to −9.9%), respectively. No significant differences were found for plasma triglyceride area under the curve. Interactions between BMI status and intervention was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions that interrupt sedentary time in the evening may improve cardiometabolic health by some magnitude in all participants regardless of bodyweight.