Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The emergence of sedentary behaviour physiology and its effects on the cardiometabolic profile in young and older adults

  • Published:
AGE Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

It has recently emerged that sedentary behaviour is independent of a lack of physical activity as individuals can be sufficiently active, based on the recommended physical activity guidelines, but also spend the majority of their waking hours engaging in sedentary behaviour. Individuals who follow this pattern of physical activity and sedentary behaviour are known as ‘active couch potatoes’. Sedentary behaviour has been found to have detrimental effects on cardiometabolic markers associated with cardiovascular disease. Since the positive effects of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity do not necessarily negate the deleterious effects of sedentary behaviour on cardiometabolic markers, it is postulated that engaging in light physical activity is an intervention that will successfully reduce levels of sedentary behaviour and may hence improve health markers of quality of life. We propose that such lifestyle changes may be particularly relevant to older populations as these engage in sedentary behaviour for the majority of their waking hours, thereby adding to the negative aging effect on cardiometabolic markers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abdul-Ghani MA, Tripathy D, DeFronzo RA (2006) Contributions of β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance to the pathogenesis of impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose. Diabetes Care 29:1130–1139

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ainsworth BE et al (2000) Compendium of physical activities: an update of activity codes and MET intensities. Med Sci Sports Exerc 32:S498–S504

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aronow WS, Ahn C (1996) Risk factors for new coronary events in a large cohort of very elderly patients with and without coronary artery disease. Am J Cardiol 77:864–866

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baigent C et al (2010) Efficacy and safety of more intensive lowering of LDL cholesterol: a meta-analysis of data from 170,000 participants in 26 randomised trials. Lancet 376:1670

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bailey DP, Locke CD (2014) Breaking up prolonged sitting with light-intensity walking improves postprandial glycemia, but breaking up sitting with standing does not Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport [online]

  • Bankoski A et al (2011) Sedentary activity associated with metabolic syndrome independent of physical activity. Diabetes Care 34:497–503

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bey L, Areiqat E, Sano A, Hamilton MT (2001) Reduced lipoprotein lipase activity in postural skeletal muscle during aging. J Appl Physiol 91:687–692

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bey L, Hamilton MT (2003) Suppression of skeletal muscle lipoprotein lipase activity during physical inactivity: a molecular reason to maintain daily low-intensity activity. J Physiol 551:673–682

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Biensø RS et al. (2015) Effects of exercise training on regulation of skeletal muscle glucose metabolism in elderly men. J Gerontol Ser A Biol Sci Med Sci glv012

  • Björkerud B, Björkerud S (1996) Contrary effects of lightly and strongly oxidized LDL with potent promotion of growth versus apoptosis on arterial smooth muscle cells, macrophages, and fibroblasts Arteriosclerosis. Thrombosis Vasc Biol 16:416–424

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Björnheden T, Babyi A, Bondjers G, Wiklund O (1996) Accumulation of lipoprotein fractions and subfractions in the arterial wall, determined in an in vitro perfusion system. Atherosclerosis 123:43–56

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blanc S, Normand S, Pachiaudi C, Duvareille M, Gharib C (2000a) Leptin responses to physical inactivity induced by simulated weightlessness. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comparat Physiol 279:R891–R898

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blanc S, Normand S, Pachiaudi C, Fortrat J-O, Laville M, Gharib C (2000b) Fuel homeostasis during physical inactivity induced by bed rest. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 85:2223–2233

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • British Heart Foundation (2014) Cardiovascualr disease statistics 2014. London, England

  • Carson V, Wong SL, Winkler E, Healy GN, Colley RC, Tremblay MS (2014) Patterns of sedentary time and cardiometabolic risk among Canadian adults. Prev Med 65:23–27

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chau JY et al (2013) Daily sitting time and all-cause mortality: a meta-analysis. PLoS One 8:e80000

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Clee SM et al (2000) Plasma and vessel wall lipoprotein lipase have different roles in atherosclerosis. J Lipid Res 41:521–531

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cominacini L et al (2000) Oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) binding to ox-LDL receptor-1 in endothelial cells induces the activation of NF-κB through an increased production of intracellular reactive oxygen species. J Biol Chem 275:12633–12638

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cox JH, Cortright RN, Dohm GL, Houmard JA (1999) Effect of aging on response to exercise training in humans: skeletal muscle GLUT-4 and insulin sensitivity. J Appl Physiol 86:2019–2025

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Craig R (2013) Health survey for England 2012. Leeds, England

    Google Scholar 

  • Craig R, Mindell J, Hirani V (2009) Health Survey for England 2008. Volume 1: physical activity and fitness health survey for England 1:8–395

  • Cui Y, Blumenthal RS, Flaws JA, Whiteman MK, Langenberg P, Bachorik PS, Bush TL (2001) Non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level as a predictor of cardiovascular disease mortality. Arch Intern Med 161:1413–1419

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Di Francesco V et al (2006) Unbalanced serum leptin and ghrelin dynamics prolong postprandial satiety and inhibit hunger in healthy elderly: another reason for the “anorexia of aging”. Am J Clin Nutr 83:1149–1152

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Diabetes UK (2012) Diabetes in the UK 2012 key statistics on diabetes. http://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-in-the-uk-2012. Accessed 16 Oct 2014

  • Dipietro L, Caspersen CJ, Ostfeld AM, Nadel ER (1993) A survey for assessing physical activity among older adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc 25:628–642

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dunstan DW et al (2012) Breaking up prolonged sitting reduces postprandial glucose and insulin responses. Diabetes Care 35:976–983

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dunstan DW, Salmon J, Healy GN, Shaw JE, Jolley D, Zimmet PZ, Owen N (2007) Association of television viewing with fasting and 2-h postchallenge plasma glucose levels in adults without diagnosed diabetes. Diabetes Care 30:516–522

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fatouros I et al (2005) Leptin and adiponectin responses in overweight inactive elderly following resistance training and detraining are intensity related. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 90:5970–5977

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Förstermann U, Münzel T (2006) Endothelial nitric oxide synthase in vascular disease from marvel to menace. Circulation 113:1708–1714

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Franzoni F et al (2005) Physical activity, plasma antioxidant capacity, and endothelium-dependent vasodilation in young and older men. Am J Hypertens 18:510–516

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Freedson PS, Melanson E, Sirard J (1998) Calibration of the computer science and applications. Inc Acceleromet Med Sci Sports Exer 30:777–781

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gaster M, Poulsen P, Handberg A, Schrøder H, Beck-Nielsen H (2000) Direct evidence of fiber type-dependent GLUT-4 expression in human skeletal muscle American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology And. Metabolism 278:E910–E916

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gennuso KP, Gangnon RE, Matthews CE, Thraen-Borowski KM, Colbert LH (2013) Sedentary behavior, physical activity, and markers of health in older adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc 45:1493–1500

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gong Z, Muzumdar RH (2012) Pancreatic function, type 2 diabetes, and metabolism in aging International. J Endocrinol 2012:320482

    Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalez M, Lind L, Söderberg S (2013) Leptin and endothelial function in the elderly: the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study. Atherosclerosis 228:485–490

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton M, Healy G, Dunstan D, Zderic T, Owen N (2008) Too little exercise and too much sitting: inactivity physiology and the need for new recommendations on sedentary behavior. Curr Cardiovasc Risk Rep 2:292–298

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton MT, Etienne J, McClure WC, Pavey BS, Holloway AK (1998) Role of local contractile activity and muscle fiber type on LPL regulation during exercise. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 275:E1016–E1022

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harvey JA, Chastin SF, Skelton DA (2013) Prevalence of sedentary behavior in older adults: a systematic review. Int J Environ Res Publ Health 10:6645–6661

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Healy GN, Dunstan DW, Salmon J, Cerin E, Shaw JE, Zimmet PZ, Owen N (2007) Objectively measured light-intensity physical activity is independently associated with 2-h plasma glucose. Diabetes Care 30:1384–1389

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Healy GN, Dunstan DW, Salmon J, Cerin E, Shaw JE, Zimmet PZ, Owen N (2008a) Breaks in sedentary time beneficial associations with metabolic risk. Diabetes Care 31:661–666

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Healy GN, Dunstan DW, Salmon J, Shaw JE, Zimmet PZ, Owen N (2008b) Television time and continuous metabolic risk in physically active adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc 40:639–645

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hennig R, Lømo T (1985) Firing patterns of motor units in normal rats

  • Host HH, Hansen PA, Nolte LA, Chen MM, Holloszy JO (1998) Rapid reversal of adaptive increases in muscle GLUT-4 and glucose transport capacity after training cessation. J Appl Physiol 84:798–802

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Houmard J et al (1995) Skeletal muscle GLUT4 protein concentration and aging in humans. Diabetes 44:555

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kazmi A, Sattar A, Hashim R, Khan SP, Younus M, Khan FA (2013) Serum Leptin values in the healthy obese and non-obese subjects of Rawalpindi. JPMA J Pakistan Med Assoc 63:245–248

    Google Scholar 

  • Keaney JF Jr, Guo Y, Cunningham D, Shwaery GT, Xu A, Vita JA (1996) Vascular incorporation of alpha-tocopherol prevents endothelial dysfunction due to oxidized LDL by inhibiting protein kinase C stimulation. J Clin Investig 98:386–394

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kriska A (2000) Ethnic and cultural issues in assessing physical activity. Res Q Exerc Sport 71:S47–S53

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Latouche C, Jowett JB, Carey AL, Bertovic DA, Owen N, Dunstan DW, Kingwell BA (2013) Effects of breaking up prolonged sitting on skeletal muscle gene expression. J Appl Physiol 114:453–460

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laufs U, Wassmann S, Czech T, Münzel T, Eisenhauer M, Böhm M, Nickenig G (2005) Physical inactivity increases oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and atherosclerosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 25:809–814

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y, He P-P, Zhang D-W, Zheng X-L, Cayabyab FS, Yin W-D, Tang C-K (2014) Lipoprotein lipase: from gene to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis 237:597–608

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lund S, Holman G, Schmitz O, Pedersen O (1995) Contraction stimulates translocation of glucose transporter GLUT4 in skeletal muscle through a mechanism distinct from that of insulin. Proc Natl Acad Sci 92:5817–5821

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mansoubi M et al (2015) Energy expenditure during common sitting and standing tasks: examining the 1.5 MET definition of sedentary behaviour. BMC Public Health 15:516

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mead JR, Cryer A, Ramji DP (1999) Lipoprotein lipase, a key role in atherosclerosis? FEBS Lett 462:1–6

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mead JR, Ramji DP (2002) The pivotal role of lipoprotein lipase in atherosclerosis. Cardiovasc Res 55:261–269

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nagaya N et al (2004) Effects of ghrelin administration on left ventricular function, exercise capacity, and muscle wasting in patients with chronic heart failure. Circulation 110:3674–3679

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • National Health Service (2013a) Normative values for cholesterol. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/cholesterol/Pages/diagnosis.aspx. Accessed 1 Jan 2015

  • National Health Service (2013b) Physical activity guidelines for adults. http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/physical-activity-guidelines-for-adults.aspx. Accessed 16 Oct 2014

  • Nishina PM, Naggert JK, Verstuyft J, Paigen B (1994) Atherosclerosis in genetically obese mice: the mutants obese, diabetes, fat, tubby, and lethal yellow. Metabolism 43:554–558

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Office for National Statistics (2012) Population ageing in the united kingdom, its constituent countries and the european union

  • Oggioni C, Lara J, Wells J, Soroka K, Siervo M (2014) Shifts in population dietary patterns and physical inactivity as determinants of global trends in the prevalence of diabetes: an ecological analysis Nutrition. Metab Cardiovasc Dis 24:1105–1111

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Owen N, Healy GN, Matthews CE, Dunstan DW (2010) Too much sitting: the population-health science of sedentary behavior. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 38:105–113

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Paffenbarger RS Jr, Hyde R, Wing AL, Hsieh C-C (1986) Physical activity, all-cause mortality, and longevity of college alumni. N Engl J Med 314:605–613

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Parhami F, Tintut Y, Ballard A, Fogelman AM, Demer LL (2001) Leptin enhances the calcification of vascular cells artery wall as a target of leptin. Circ Res 88:954–960

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pate RR, O’Neill JR, Lobelo F (2008) The evolving definition of" sedentary". Exerc Sport Sci Rev 36:173–178

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peddie MC, Bone JL, Rehrer NJ, Skeaff CM, Gray AR, Perry TL (2013) Breaking prolonged sitting reduces postprandial glycemia in healthy, normal-weight adults: a randomized crossover trial. Am J Clin Nutr 98:358–366

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pescatello LS, Murphy D, Costanzo D (2000) Low-intensity physical activity benefits blood lipids and lipoproteins in older adults living at home. Age Ageing 29:433–439

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rios FJ, Koga MM, Pecenin M, Ferracini M, Gidlund M, Jancar S (2013) Oxidized LDL induces alternative macrophage phenotype through activation of CD36 and PAFR. Mediat Inflamm 2013:1–8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rowlands AV et al (2013) Assessing sedentary behavior with the GENEActiv: introducing the sedentary sphere. Med Sci Sports Exerc 46:1235–1247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sallis JF (1985) Leisure and occupational. Off J Am Coll Sports Med 29:S89–S103

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw JE, Sicree RA, Zimmet PZ (2010) Global estimates of the prevalence of diabetes for 2010 and 2030. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 87:4–14

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Singhal A et al (2002) Influence of leptin on arterial distensibility a novel link between obesity and cardiovascular disease? Circulation 106:1919–1924

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spranger J, Kroke A, Möhlig M, Bergmann MM, Ristow M, Boeing H, Pfeiffer AF (2003) Adiponectin and protection against type 2 diabetes mellitus. Lancet 361:226–228

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sviridov D, Nestel P (2002) Dynamics of reverse cholesterol transport: protection against atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis 161:245–254

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Taddei S, Virdis A, Ghiadoni L, Salvetti G, Bernini G, Magagna A, Salvetti A (2001) Age-related reduction of NO availability and oxidative stress in humans. Hypertension 38:274–279

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Talayero BG, Sacks FM (2011) The role of triglycerides in atherosclerosis. Curr Cardiol Rep 13:544–552

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tremblay MS, Colley RC, Saunders TJ, Healy GN, Owen N (2010) Physiological and health implications of a sedentary lifestyle. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 35:725–740

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • VanderLaan PA, Reardon CA, Getz GS (2004) Site specificity of atherosclerosis site-selective responses to atherosclerotic modulators Arteriosclerosis. Thrombosis Vasc Biol 24:12–22

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vukovich MD, Arciero PJ, Kohrt WM, Racette S, Hansen P, Holloszy J (1996) Changes in insulin action and GLUT-4 with 6 days of inactivity in endurance runners. J Appl Physiol 80:240–244

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wang J, Obici S, Morgan K, Barzilai N, Feng Z, Rossetti L (2001) Overfeeding rapidly induces leptin and insulin resistance. Diabetes 50:2786–2791

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wang J et al (2013) Leptin‐induced endothelial dysfunction is mediated by sympathetic nervous system activity. J Am Heart Assoc 2:1–8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yamanouchi K et al (1992) Effects of daily physical activity on insulin action in the elderly. J Appl Physiol 73:2241

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Exercise and Active Living Research Centre, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Crewe Green Road, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 5DU, UK

    D. J. Ryan, G. K. Stebbings & G. L. Onambele

Authors
  1. D. J. Ryan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. K. Stebbings
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. G. L. Onambele
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. J. Ryan.

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ryan, D.J., Stebbings, G.K. & Onambele, G.L. The emergence of sedentary behaviour physiology and its effects on the cardiometabolic profile in young and older adults. AGE 37, 89 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-015-9832-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-015-9832-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation