The Effects of Interrupting Prolonged Sitting With Bouts of Physical Activity on Neurocognitive Function in Obesity

Plain-language summary

It is projected that by 2030 almost 50% of adults in the USA will have obesity. High sedentariness and physical inactivity contribute to the obesity pandemic. Neurocognitive deficits compound the global burden of obesity. Specifically, adults with obesity underperform on tasks of executive functioning, which underpin goal-directed behavior and have been linked to occupational success. Growing evidence suggests poorer executive functioning among more sedentary adults. Emergent studies have shown that accumulating sedentary time in prolonged bouts (e.g., remaining sedentary continuously 20 min or more) may decrease the ability to control distractions along with working memory. Interrupting prolonged sitting with brief bouts of physical activity is an effective strategy to improve postprandial glucose metabolism. However, the effects of this simple intervention on neural processes supporting executive functioning remain unknown. Accordingly, the aim of this study is to test the effects of interrupting prolonged sitting with frequent (every 30 min) but brief (3 min) physical activity bouts on inhibitory control, working memory, and their neuroelectric indices (N2, P3a, and P3b components of event-related brain potentials). Our secondary aim is to explore the potential mechanisms underlying the effects of interrupting prolonged sitting with physical activity on cognitive and brain function through glucose metabolism and insulin physiology. Findings from this study will help advance our understanding of how restructuring sedentary time may help improve cognitive and brain functions among adults with obesity.

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