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Long-term sitting affects vascular health
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Long bouts of uninterrupted sitting in relatively healthy patients negatively impacted markers of peripheral and central vascular health, according to a study published in The American Journal of Cardiology.
Daniel P. Credeur, PhD, assistant professor at The University of Southern Mississippi School of Kinesiology in Hattiesburg, and colleagues analyzed data from 20 patients (mean age, 26 years; 7 women; mean BMI = 30 kg/m2) free from any metabolic, CV or neurological diseases. Patients were also nonsmokers, not pregnant and were asymptomatic, as shown by a resting BP below 140 mm Hg systolic/90 mm Hg diastolic.
After completing several assessments and measurements, patients rested for 15 minutes before they sat in a chair for 3 hours. During this time, patients were allowed to perform standard tasks. Tasks such as listening to heavy music and moving their legs were not permitted during the 3 hours.
CV measures were taken at 10 minutes and at every hour. Assessments after 3 hours were also performed, and patients were given a triaxial accelerometer to determine physical activity status over a 7-day period.
After patients sat for 3 hours, there was a significant increase in aortic pulse wave velocity (5.7 m/s to 6.1 m/s; P = .009) and a decrease in augmentation index (13% to 3%; P < .001).
Reflection magnitude did not significantly change during sitting (P = .13).
Decreases were also seen in flow-mediated dilation (0.5 mm to 0.3 mm; P = .014) and microvascular area under the curve (2,194 to 1,157; P = .003). Low-flow mediated constriction was unaffected during sitting (P = .85).
“Our data support the view that a single bout of prolonged, uninterrupted sitting may serve as a precursor for initiating the deleterious cardiovascular health response associated with long-term sedentarism,” Credeur and colleagues wrote. – by Darlene Dobkowski
Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.
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