Study to explore how to offset the health risks of sitting for too long

Researchers at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ are seeking overweight or obese male participants for a study that explores how to offset the health risks of sitting down for too long.

The aim of the research is to investigate the benefits of implementing a physical activity schedule, into the lives of adults who spend large proportions of their day sitting. The schedule includes brief periods of walking and light resistance exercises, performed on three occasions

As part of the study, participants will be asked to attend three sessions at the university’s National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine.

The visits will consist of:

  • Health screening to confirm if volunteers are eligible to take part in the research
  • An experimental visit where participants will be asked to sit in a chair throughout the session
  • Another experimental session where participants will be asked to sit in a chair, which will be interrupted with light intensity walking and a resistance exercise routine
  • Blood samples will be taken throughout the 2nd and 3rd visits.  Participants will be provided with results from assessments related to: Blood and heart health, body composition, appetite and sleep

After the first visit, participants will be given a leg monitor to record how much time they spend sitting, standing, and how active they are on a day-to-day basis.

Aron Sherry, a Research Associate within the university’s School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, said: “Many adults in the UK spend most of their day sitting. Long periods of sitting have been linked to an increased risk of health problems such a type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

“There is evidence that breaking up sitting time with light or moderate intensity physical activity can provide benefits to people’s health and well-being. However, this evidence is based on physical activity being performed very frequently (e.g. every 30 minutes) which isn’t realistic for people during work hours or leisure time.

“We believe our schedule is realistic to achieve during a day and will encourage people to move more.”

To take part in the study, participants must be male, a non-smoker, be able to perform exercise, with no history of cardiovascular disease and not receiving treatment for any other major diseases.

Those who take part in the study will be reimbursed for their travel to and from the university.

For more information please contact Aron Sherry on A.P.Sherry@lboro.ac.uk or 01509 228462 / 07938708773

Notes for editors

Press release reference number: 19/102

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