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Fidgeting while sitting helps prevent leg endothelial dysfunction
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Arterial dysfunction in the legs caused by prolonged sitting may be prevented simply by fidgeting while sitting, researchers reported in the American Journal of Physiology – Heart and Circulatory Physiology.
“We wanted to know whether a small amount of leg fidgeting could prevent a decline in leg vascular function caused by prolonged sitting,” Jaume Padilla, PhD, an assistant professor of nutrition and exercise physiology at the University of Missouri, said in a press release. “While we expected fidgeting to increase blood flow to the lower limbs, we were quite surprised to find this would be sufficient to prevent a decline in arterial function.”
Padilla and colleagues enrolled seven men and four women (median age, 26 years) from the University of Missouri campus in the study. All of the participants were healthy and recreationally active.
Participants were required to stay in a seated position for 3 hours, with one leg remaining still while other leg was subjected to intermittent fidgeting (1 minute on/4 minute off).
During the sitting period, popliteal artery blood flow and shear rate were reduced in both legs (P < .05), but the fidgeting leg had a higher blood flow (P < .05) and shear rate (P < .05) than the leg that remained still for the complete 3 hours.
According to the researchers, the popliteal artery flow-mediated dilation was impaired in the leg that did not move (Cohen’s d =1.08; P = .039). In the fidgeting leg, however, flow-mediated dilation improved (Cohen’s d = 0.92; P = .014).
Padilla and colleagues, however, said fidgeting cannot replace daily walking or exercise.
“You should attempt to break up sitting time as much as possible by standing or walking,” Padilla said. “But if you’re stuck in a situation in which walking just isn’t an option, fidgeting can be a good alternative. Any movement is better than no movement.” – by Tracey Romero
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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