Prolonged sitting is becoming increasingly common among office workers and is linked to various health risks, including high blood glucose levels and cognitive impairment after meals. A recent study at Manipal Academy of Higher Education examined the short-term effects of brief stair-climbing interruptions on postprandial hyperglycemia during extended periods of sitting.
Obesity and diabetes are rising concerns globally, with sedentary lifestyles contributing significantly to these conditions. Research indicates prolonged sitting can lead to high glycemic excursions, which could heighten the risk of cardiovascular diseases. To combat these effects, the new study focused on whether short bouts of stair climbing might alleviate postprandial glucose spikes.
The experiment involved 28 sedentary young adults aged 20 to 30 years, who took part in two different interventions after consuming standardized lunches. During one session, referred to as the STAIR visit, participants climbed two flights of stairs for two minutes every 30 minutes for two hours. Alternatively, they remained seated during the SIT visit, without any physical interruptions.
Researchers measured participants' blood glucose levels and cognitive performance at various intervals throughout the interventions. They found significant interactions between the conditions and time, particularly during the STAIR visit, where notable reductions in postprandial glucose levels were recorded at one hour post-meal. Specifically, glucose levels dropped by 2.6 mmol/dl after the first hour and returned closer to baseline by the end of the second hour.
While stair climbing demonstrated clear benefits for glucose management, the study did not find corresponding improvements in cognitive function. Reaction times remained unchanged across both intervention types, raising questions about the effectiveness of this type of exercise on attentional metrics.
According to the authors, "Stair climbing interruptions may serve as a feasible and effective countermeasure to high glycaemic variability or excursions..." They suggest future long-term studies are necessary to explore this intervention's potential, particularly focusing on different populations and settings.
Despite the limitations, such as the short duration of interruptions compared to earlier studies focusing on prolonged sitting, the findings reinforce the need for physical activity breaks during sedentary periods. They also highlight the importance of integrating simple, moderate-intensity exercises like stair climbing, which are accessible to many and feasible even within office environments.
This groundbreaking research offers promising directions for public health recommendations, particularly as work patterns increasingly trend toward extended periods of sedentary behavior.