Background: This study analyzed the effect of walking breaks or low-volume high-intensity interval exercise (LV-HIIE) on markers of metabolic syndrome relative to a day of prolonged sitting. Methods: Twenty-five adults with excess body fat participated in this crossover trial: (1) 10-hour sitting day (SIT), (2) LV-HIIE followed by a sitting day (EX+SIT), and (3) sitting day with 5-minute walking breaks for every 20 minutes (SIT+WB). Glucose and blood pressure (BP) were measured before and 1 hour after 4 meals and 2 hours after lunch. Triglycerides were measured at baseline, 2, and 3.5 hours after lunch. Generalized mixed models were used to identify differences in the area under the curve (AUC) of BP and incremental AUC (iAUC) of glucose and triglycerides among the sessions. Results: iAUC-glucose was lower in SIT+WB than SIT (β = −35.3 mg/dL·10 h; 95% confidence interval, −52.5 to −8.2). AUC-diastolic BP was lower in SIT+WB than SIT (β = −14.1 mm Hg·10 h; 95% confidence interval, −26.5 to −1.6) and EX+SIT (β = −14.5 mm Hg·10 h; 95% confidence interval, −26.9 to −2.1). There were no differences in triglycerides and systolic BP levels among the sessions. Conclusion: Adults with excess body fat present lower glucose and diastolic BP during a day with breaks in sitting time compared with a prolonged sitting day with or without an LV-HIIE session.

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Purpose Acute reduction in blood pressure (BP) following an exercise session is evidenced in controlled settings with formal supervision in hypertensive older populations. This study investigated the effect of a self-selected exercise (SSE)-intensity session on ambulatory BP in hypertensive older women in a “real-world” setting. Methods Twenty inactive older women with hypertension (64.9±4.5 years) were included in this randomized, controlled, crossover trial. After baseline assessments, participants performed 30 minutes of an SSE-intensity session on an outdoor track and a control session, separated by 7-10 days. Heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and affective response were assessed. Ambulatory BP was monitored for 20 hours following both sessions. Paired t -tests and generalized estimation were used for data analysis. Results Participants exercised at 5.1±1.1 km/h, spent ~90% of the exercise time at moderate–vigorous intensity (≥40% of heart rate reserve). SSE-intensity session was reported as light (RPE 11.0±1.5) and pleasant (affect 3.4±1.2). SSE-intensity session elicited reductions in systolic BP in the first 6 hours postexercise (6.0 mmHg, CI 2.7–9.3 mmHg; P< 0.001). Average systolic BP in the 20-hour (−3.4 mmHg, CI −5.9 to −0.9 mmHg; P =0.010) and awake (−4.0 mmHg, CI −6.4 to −1.6 mmHg; P =0.003) periods were lower following SSE-intensity session compared to control session. No differences were observed in average systolic BP during asleep period and diastolic BP during the 20-hour awake and asleep periods between the SSE-intensity session and control session ( P >0.05). Conclusion An SSE-intensity session elicited a reduction in ambulatory systolic BP in inactive older women with hypertension during awake and 20-hour periods. Also, the SSE-intensity session was reported as light and pleasant.

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Sedentary occupation workers who meet the physical activity recommendations have a reduced risk for MetS.