Sedentary Work and Physiological Markers of Health.

Brad Wipfli,Saurabh S Thosar,Ginger C Hanson,Courtney Donovan,Sara Wild

doi:10.3390/ijerph18063230

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine associations between objectively measured workplace sedentary behavior and physiological markers of health. We hypothesize that increased sedentary time and more frequent bouts of uninterrupted sitting are associated with increased hemoglobin A1c, increased blood pressure, and impaired endothelial function. Call center employees (N = 241) were enrolled from four worksites in the United States. Participants completed a survey and a physical health assessment. Sedentary behavior and sitting/standing time at work were quantified using an accelerometer. Hemoglobin A1c was measured using a finger-prick and portable analyzer. Blood pressure was measured with an automated cuff, and vascular endothelial function was assessed in a subsample of participants (n = 56) using EndoPAT. We analyzed data with two series of ordinary least squares regressions, first to examine relationships between bouts of uninterrupted sitting and physiological outcomes, and second to examine relationships between physical activity and sitting/standing time at work and physiological outcomes. The sample was primarily female, and on average was obese, prehypertensive, and prediabetic. There were no significant relationships between bouts of uninterrupted sitting or physical activity/sitting/standing time at work and physiological outcomes. In a sample that is predominantly sedentary, at risk for cardiovascular disease, and prediabetic, there are no significant associations between workplace sedentary behavior and physiological markers. The lack of associations could be related to either physiological adaptations or ceiling effects in this sample.

Highlights

IntroductionEpidemiological evidence shows that sedentary behavior, defined as any waking behavior with energy expenditure ≤1.5 metabolic equivalents, while in a sitting, reclining, or lying posture [1], is related to increased risk of detrimental health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, poor metabolic profile, and all-cause mortality [2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10]
Epidemiological studies show clear associations between sedentary behavior and detrimental health outcomes. In this real-world sample of people with increased baseline cardiovascular and metabolic risks, we failed to support the hypothesis that workplace sedentary behavior is associated with measures of blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, and vascular endothelial function
This study addresses a gap in sedentary behavior research by investigating how objectively measured workplace sedentary behavior is related to physiological markers of health in an applied setting

Summary

Introduction

Epidemiological evidence shows that sedentary behavior, defined as any waking behavior with energy expenditure ≤1.5 metabolic equivalents, while in a sitting, reclining, or lying posture [1], is related to increased risk of detrimental health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, poor metabolic profile, and all-cause mortality [2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10]. These risk factors persist even if one meets the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s physical activity recommendations but is sedentary during the majority of waking hours [11].

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Conclusion