Reducing sedentary behavior to enhance exercise benefits

Preventing Exercise Resistance With Sedentary Interruptions

Not applicable Interventional Hasselt University · NCT06277713

This study is testing if switching between sitting and standing while working can help office workers at risk for chronic diseases get more benefits from exercise.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment24 (estimated)
Ages30 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorHasselt University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Diepenbeek, Limburg)
Trial IDNCT06277713 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized cross-over trial investigates how alternating between sitting and standing during work hours affects the metabolic response to exercise in office workers at risk for chronic diseases. Participants will undergo three intervention periods, each lasting two days, where they will engage in a supervised exercise session and have their postprandial metabolism assessed after a standardized meal. The study aims to determine if reducing sedentary time can enhance the lipid-lowering effects of exercise, addressing the issue of sitting-induced exercise resistance.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are office workers aged 30 to 65 who are sedentary for more than 9 hours a day and have an increased risk for lipid metabolism disorders.

Not a fit: Patients with medical conditions that prevent physical activity or those with existing cardiometabolic diseases may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved strategies for enhancing the health benefits of exercise in sedentary individuals.

How similar studies have performed: While some studies have explored the effects of sedentary behavior on health, this specific approach of combining standing interruptions with exercise is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* between 30 and 65 years old,
* primarily work in an office environment for at least 0.75 full time equivalents,
* sedentary (on average \>9h of sedentary time per day, assessed objectively),
* at an increased risk for disturbances in lipid profile (assessed with fingerstick (Analox®) total cholesterol \>200 mg/dL or fingerstick triglycerides \>150 mg/dL),
* written informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* medical conditions precluding physical activity (PA) participation,
* abusive alcohol intake (\>20 units/week),
* pregnant or intention to become pregnant,
* change in dietary habits or weight loss (\>2kg) in the last month before the study,
* a diagnosis of cardiometabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular diseases.

Where this trial is running

Diepenbeek, Limburg

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Sedentary BehaviorLipid Metabolism DisorderExercisePostprandial metabolism
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.