Effects of Sedentary Behaviour on Metabolic Parameters

There is a current trend towards increasing time spent in sedentary behaviour. More jobs are being automated, and more time is spent in front of a computer, playing video games and watching television.Current studies suggest that sedentary behaviour is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Increasing time spent in sedentary behaviour has been linked to all-cause mortality, markers of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. However, the data is mainly from cross-sectional studies and based on self-recall, limiting the ability to draw definitive conclusions.

Current exercise guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity exercise per week. It may be difficult for some elderly people to meet these guidelines. Older adults with diabetes are already at a higher risk fo conditions that are affected by sedentary behaviour and may stand to benefit the most from intervention.

This study proposes to study the effects of breaking up sedentary activity with moderate intensity exercise on multiple metabolic parameters in older adults with diabetes.

Inclusion criteria

• 65 years of age or older
• type 2 diabetes managed with diet or oral hypoglycemic agents

Exclusion criteria

• using insulin to manage diabetes
• baseline of pre-session blood glucose reading equal to or greater than 10 mmol/L
• any medical condition that would limit the ability to perform activity portion of the study
• people not comfortable exercising on a stationary bicycle
• subject answers yes to one of more of the questions in the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire