The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of performing "exercise snacks" (short movement breaks throughout the day) on various measures of cardiometabolic health.
After being informed about the study and potential risks, all eligible participants who have provided consent will undergo a baseline visit to assess pre-intervention basic anthropometrics, cardiorespiratory fitness, and provide a blood sample. Participants will then be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to one of two groups: 1) Mobility movement breaks (stretching or range of motion exercises); or 2) Cardiovascular movement breaks (designed to raise heart rate). Both groups will be encouraged to perform 3-4 daily movement breaks on at least 3 days of the week with support from an online platform and app that provides video instructions and reminders to complete the movement breaks. After 12 weeks, participants will be asked to return to the lab for the same testing performed at baseline.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
77
Participants will be asked to perform 30-60 second movement breaks 3-4 times per day on at least 3 days per week.
University of British Columbia
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
McMaster University
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Change From Baseline in Cardiorespiratory Fitness at 12 Weeks
Cardiorespiratory fitness will be assessed as the highest 30-s average from a laboratory-based graded VO2peak test on a cycle ergometer.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Change From Baseline in Plasma Insulin
A fasted venous blood sample will be obtained and insulin measured by commercial assay.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks
Change From Baseline in Plasma Glucose
A fasted venous blood sample will be obtained and glucose measured by biochemical assay.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks
Change From Baseline in Insulin Resistance
A fasted venous blood sample will be obtained and insulin resistance estimated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) score
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks
Change From Baseline in Inflammatory Cytokines
A fasted venous blood sample will be obtained and inflammatory cytokines measured by multiplex assay
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks
Change From Baseline in Body Mass
Body mass will be measured by weigh scale
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks
Change From Baseline in Waist Circumference
Waist circumference (in centimetres) will be measured using a measurement tape.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Device-Measured Adherence to Movement Breaks
Participants will wear accelerometers to assess adherence near the beginning and the end of the intervention.
Time frame: Week 2 and week 11
Self-Reported Adherence to Movement Breaks
Participants will be sent weekly surveys asking them to recall the total number of movement breaks performed that week.
Time frame: Once per week for 12 weeks
Movement Break Enjoyment Assessed by the Exercise Enjoyment Scale (EES)
The EES is a validated, single-item 7-point scale to assess exercise enjoyment. Possible scores range from 1 (not at all) to 7 (extremely).
Time frame: Immediately following each movement break for entire 12-week intervention
Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Following Movement Breaks
A 10 point RPE scale will be used to assess perceived exertion ranging from 0 (rest) to 10 (maximal).
Time frame: Immediately following each movement break for entire 12-week intervention