Light Walking Patterns and Postprandial Cardiometabolic Responses in Young Obese Adults: A Randomized Crossover Study.

Context: Recent studies suggest that light-intensity physical activity may enhance cardiometabolic health and reduce mortality risk in adults. However, more information is required to understand the patterns of light-intensity physical activity and postprandial cardiometabolic health.

Objective: This study examined the effects of different light-intensity walking patterns on postprandial cardiometabolic responses in young obese adults.

Design: A randomized crossover trial was conducted.

Setting: The study was conducted in the laboratory.

Participants: The study analyzed baseline (fasting) and 6-hour postprandial concentrations of glucose, insulin, triglycerides, and blood pressure (BP) in 16 young obese adults.

Interventions: Participants underwent four 7-hour experimental conditions with a 7-20-day washout period: uninterrupted sitting (SIT), 30-minute light-intensity walking (EX+SIT), 3-minute light-intensity walking every 30 minutes (BR), and 30-minute light-intensity walking with 3-minute light-intensity walking every 30 minutes (EX+BR).

Main outcome measures: Incremental areas under the curve (iAUC) for each outcome and average BP were compared between SIT and walking conditions.

Results: Compared with SIT, all walking conditions reduced iAUCs for glucose and average diastolic BP (all p<0.05). Only EX+SIT and EX+BR reduced iAUCs for insulin (p<0.05). No significant differences were found for triglycerides iAUC and systolic BP between the four conditions (all p>0.05).

Conclusions: All patterns of light-intensity walking reduced postprandial glucose concentrations and diastolic BP in young obese adults, suggesting benefits for glycemic control. Continuous 30-minute light-intensity walking alone, or combined with brief 3-min bouts also attenuated postprandial insulin concentrations, highlighting light-intensity walking as a promising strategy for improving cardiometabolic health in young obese adults.