Effects of Walking Breaks on Cognitive Function and Glucose Metabolism

Effects of Sitting Interruption Frequency on Cognitive Function and Glucose Metabolism: A Randomized, Controlled Cross-over Study Involving Young Sedentary Adults

This study is testing if taking walking breaks during long periods of sitting can help young adults think better and improve their blood sugar levels.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 33 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 35 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Maastricht University Medical Center (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Maastricht)
• Trial ID: NCT06700187 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates how interrupting prolonged sitting with walking breaks affects cognitive function and glucose metabolism in young sedentary adults aged 18-35. Participants will engage in different frequencies of physical activity bouts during four 6-hour laboratory visits. The research aims to determine if varying the frequency of these breaks can lead to improvements in cognitive performance and metabolic health. The study is designed as a randomized controlled trial to provide robust evidence on the impact of sedentary behavior interventions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are sedentary men and women aged 18-35 with a BMI between 18.5-24.9 who sit for at least 9 hours a day and exercise less than 2-3 times a week.

Not a fit: Patients who are physically active, sit for less than 9 hours a day, or have conditions affecting glucose metabolism may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to effective strategies for improving cognitive function and metabolic health in sedentary young adults.

How similar studies have performed: While the effects of sedentary behavior on health have been studied, this specific approach of varying walking break frequencies in young adults is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Men and women aged 18-35 years;
* BMI between 18.5-24.9 kg/m2;
* SB, i.e. sitting for an average of at least 9 hours per day;
* Physically inactive, i.e. engaging in exercise for less than 2 to 3 times per week;
* Stable body weight (weight gain or loss \< 3 kg in the past three months);
* Willingness to engage in four 6-hour laboratory visits;
* No difficult cannulation.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Not sedentary, i.e. sitting for less than an average of 9 hours per day;
* Physically active, i.e. engaging in exercise for more than 3 times a week;
* Abuse of drugs;
* Use medication to treat BP, lipid, or glucose metabolism;
* Pregnant females.

Where this trial is running

Maastricht

• Nutrition and movement science — Maastricht, Netherlands (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Renyan Ma

Conditions Sedentary Behaviors; Breaking Prolonged Sitting With Physical Activity; Sedentary behavior; sitting interruptions; cognition; glucose metabolism