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NCT Number: NCT06700187

Frequency of Interrupting Sitting and Cognitive Function

Rationale: Sedentary behavior (SB) has been associated with impaired cognitive function in elderly, and negatively impacts glucose metabolism. Interrupting sitting with physical activity (PA) bouts may exert beneficial effects on cognitive function via an improved glucose metabolism. Nevertheless, the impact of breaking up prolonged sitting with various frequencies of PA bouts remains unexplored in young sedentary adults. Moreover, we hypothesize that the pattern of the breaks modifies the effects. Thus, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are highly needed to investigate the effects of interrupting sitting with different frequencies of PA on cognitive function and glucose metabolism. We now hypothesize that interrupting sitting with different frequencies of walking breaks differentially affects cognitive function and glucose metabolism.

Objective: The aim is to investigate the effects of breaking up sitting with different frequencies of PA bouts on cognitive function and glucose metabolism in young sedentary adults.

Study design: A randomised, controlled cross-over study will be performed, consisting of four interventions in a counterbalanced order: uninterrupted prolonged sitting, short breaks, moderate breaks, and long breaks.

Intervention: Participants will complete four conditions in a randomized, counterbalanced order: sitting (uninterrupted prolonged sitting without any interruptions), short breaks (walk 1 minute every 10 minutes), moderate breaks (walk 3 minutes every 30 minutes), and long breaks (walk 27 minutes during the intervention). Each condition lasts 4.5 hours.

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Key information

Conditions

Sedentary Behaviors Behavior Breaking Prolonged Sitting With Physical Activity Sedentary Behavior

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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.

Treatment and study plan

Interrupting sitting with walking breaks

Other

Participants will engage in 27 minutes walking in different frequencies, including short breaks (walk 1 minute every 10 minutes), moderate breaks (walk 3 minutes every 30 minutes), and long breaks (walk 27 minutes in one time during the intervention).

Primary outcomes

  1. Mental flexibility

    Time frame: baseline and 5 hours post baseline

    It will be assessed using the computer-based Trial Making Test

Secondary outcomes

  1. Interference

    Time frame: baseline and 5 hours post baseline

    Interference is assessed by the computer-based Stroop task

  2. Memory

    Time frame: baseline and 5 hours post baseline

    Memory is assessed by the computer-based n-Back Test

  3. Attention

    Time frame: baseline and 5 hours post baseline

    Attention is assessed by the paper-based d2 attention Test

  4. Glucose metabolism

    Time frame: baseline, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 1.5 hour, 2 hour, 3 hour, 4 hour, and 5 hour post baseline

    Concentration of plasma glucose will be tested.

  5. Glucose metabolism

    Time frame: baseline, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 1.5 hour, 2 hour, 3 hour, 4 hour, and 5 hour post baseline

    Concentration of serum insulin will be tested.

  6. Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)

    Time frame: baseline, 2 hour, 3 hour, and 5 hour post baseline

    Concentration of serum BDNF, as one of the exploratory outcomes will be tested.

  7. Blood lipids

    Time frame: baseline, and 5 hours post baseline

    As exploratory outcomes, concentration of serum total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) will be tested.

  8. Serum triacylglycerol (TAG)

    Time frame: baseline, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 1.5 hour, 2 hour, 3 hour, 4 hour, and 5 hour post baseline

    As another exploratory outcome, concentration of serum TAG will be tested.

  9. Mood

    Time frame: baseline and 5 hours post baseline

    Short version of Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire will be used to test mood.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Hans Savelberg, Phd

CONTACT

[email protected]

+31 433881392

Renyan Ma

CONTACT

[email protected]

+31 883887804

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Maastricht University Medical Center

Other

Registry information

Official study title

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

Acronym: FISCF

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Nov 21, 2024
Registry last updated
Jan 14, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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