Interrupting Prolonged Sitting with Brief Activity Might Improve Glycemic Control

Australian researchers have shown that brief interruptions of prolonged sitting improve glucose metabolism in overweight sedentary nondiabetic adults (NEJM JW Gen Med Jul 1 2012 and Diabetes Care 2012; 35:976). Now, the same team has conducted a similar randomized crossover study in 24 overweight sedentary diabetic adults (mean glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA_1c], 7.2%) who were taking either no antidiabetic medication or metformin only.

On three different days, separated by 1- to 2-week washout periods, participants sat for 7 hours and ate standardized breakfasts and lunches. On one day, participants remained seated the entire time, except to void; on a second day, they interrupted sitting with 3 minutes of light-intensity (3.2 km/hour) walking…