Total Time vs Intensity of Exercise for Lowering Cardiometabolic Risk
In patients with prediabetes, the amount of time spent being active may be as important as the intensity of the physical activity for the reduction of cardiometabolic risk, according to the findings of a recent study.
The cross-sectional study included 2326 participants aged 25 to 70 years from 8 countries with a body mass index (BMI) above 25 kg/m2 and impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance. Physical activity and sedentary time were measured using accelerometry for 7 days.
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In multiple linear regression models, the researchers found that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was negatively associated with Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), waist circumference, fasting insulin, 2-hour glucose, triglycerides, and C-reactive protein (CRP). Conversely, sedentary time was associated with HOMA-IR, waist circumference, fasting insulin, triglycerides, CRP, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure.
Additionally, the negative association between total reported physical activity and all risk factors were comparable to or stronger than MVPA for HOMA-IR, waist circumference, fasting insulin, 2-hour glucose, triglycerides, and CRP.
“In adults with prediabetes, objectively measured PA and ST were associated with cardiometabolic risk markers,” the researchers concluded. “Total PA was at least as strongly associated with cardiometabolic risk markers as MVPA, which may imply that the accumulation of total PA over the day is as important as achieving the intensity of MVPA.”
—Melissa Weiss
Reference:
Swindell N, Mackintosh K, McNarry M, et al. Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Time Are Associated With Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Adults With Prediabetes: The PREVIEW Study [published online 20, 2017]. Diabetes Care. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc17-1057.