Associations of Sedentary Patterns with Cardiometabolic Biomarkers in Physically Active Young Males

PURPOSE: Sitting time (ST) is a serious global health issue and positively associated with cardiometabolic disease. The present study investigated associations between objectively measured ST, sedentary patterns, and cardiometabolic biomarkers in physically active young males. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis was completed in 94 males 18–35 yr of age. Total ST, prolonged sedentary bouts (≥30 min with no interruption), and sedentary breaks (transitions from sitting/lying to standing/stepping) were assessed using activPAL. Lipids, insulin, C-peptide, C-reactive protein (CRP), vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, E-selectin, P-selectin, leptin, resistin, and adiponectin were measured using assay kits. The expression of specific proteins related to endothelial dysfunction was determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Associations between total ST, prolonged sedentary bouts, and sedentary breaks with cardiometabolic biomarkers and total ST and levels of gene expression were assessed using generalized linear models. RESULTS: Total ST was significantly associated with triglycerides (B = 1.814), insulin (B = 2.117), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (B = 0.071), and E-selectin (B = 2.052). Leptin (B = 0.086), E-selectin (B = 1.623), and P-selectin (B = 2.519) were significantly associated with prolonged sedentary bouts, whereas leptin (B = −0.017) and CRP (B = −0.016) were associated with sedentary breaks. After adjustment for moderate to vigorous physical activity, the associations between triglycerides (B = 2.048) and total ST, and between CRP (B = −0.016) and sedentary breaks, remained significant. E-selectin mRNA levels (B = 0.0002) were positively associated with ST with or without adjustment for moderate to vigorous physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Total ST and prolonged sedentary bouts were positively associated with several cardiometabolic biomarkers, with interruptions in ST potentially contributing to reduced cardiometabolic risk in physically active young male adults.