Key result
Prolonged uninterrupted sitting increases cf-PWV by ~0.18 m/s, only partially mitigated by interrupting sitting.
Why the study?
Acute prolonged uninterrupted sitting is associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk via increased arterial stiffness, but the arterial stiffness response to uninterrupted versus interrupted sitting needed consolidation.
Does interrupting prolonged sitting with brief physical activity reduce the acute increase in arterial stiffness compared to uninterrupted sitting?
Comparison
Prolonged uninterrupted sitting vs interrupted sitting
Design
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors
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Brief interruptions only partially offset sitting-induced arterial stiffening; extends evidence on vascular harms of sedentariness while highlighting need for optimized protocols.
Meta-Analysis
Does interrupting prolonged sitting with brief physical activity reduce the acute increase in arterial stiffness compared to uninterrupted sitting?
Effect estimate: MD 0.184 m/s (95% CI 0.098 to 0.270)
p-value: p=<0.0003
Interrupting prolonged sitting with brief physical activity partially mitigates the acute increase in arterial stiffness associated with uninterrupted sitting.
Moinuddin et al. (2025) conducted a meta-analysis in Sedentary behavior. Prolonged uninterrupted sitting vs. Interrupted sitting was evaluated on Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) (MD 0.184 m/s, 95% CI 0.098 to 0.270, p=<0.0003). Prolonged uninterrupted sitting significantly increased carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (MD 0.184 m/s; 95% CI 0.098-0.270; p<0.0003), and interrupting sitting only partially mitigated this response.
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