Leg fidgeting improves executive function following prolonged sitting with a typical Western meal: A randomized, controlled cross-over trial

Fryer, Simon M ORCID: 0000-0003-0376-0104, Paterson, Craig ORCID: 0000-0003-3125-9712, Stoner, Lee, Brown, Meghan A, Faulkner, James, Turner, Louise A ORCID: 0000-0002-0153-7075, Aguirre-Betolaza, Aitor, Zieff, Gabriel H and Stone, Keeron J ORCID: 0000-0001-6572-7874 (2022) Leg fidgeting improves executive function following prolonged sitting with a typical Western meal: A randomized, controlled cross-over trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (3). Art 1357. doi:10.3390/ijerph19031357

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Abstract

Prolonged uninterrupted sitting and a typical Western meal, high in fat and refined sugar, can additively impair cognitive and cerebrovascular functions. However, it is unknown whether interrupting these behaviours, with a simple desk-based activity, can attenuate the impairment. The aim of this study was to determine whether regular leg fidgeting can off-set the detrimental effects of prolonged sitting following the consumption of a typical Western meal, on executive and cerebrovascular function. Using a randomized cross-over design, 13 healthy males consumed a Western meal and completed 180-min of prolonged sitting with leg fidgeting of 1 min on/4 min off (intervention [INT]) and without (control [CON]). Cognitive function was assessed pre and post sitting using the Trail Maker Test (TMT) parts A and B. Common carotid artery (CCA) blood flow, as an index of brain flow, was measured pre and post, and cerebral (FP1) perfusion was measured continuously. For TMT B the CON trial signifi-cantly increased (worsened) completion time (mean difference [MD]=5.2s, d= 0.38), the number of errors (MD=3.33, d= 0.68) and cognitive fatigue (MD=0.73, d= 0.92). Compared to CON, the INT trial significantly improved completion time (MD=2.3s, d= 0.97), and prevented declines in cognitive fatigue and a reduction in the number of errors. No significant changes in cerebral perfusion or CCA blood flow were found. Leg fidgeting for 1-min on/4-min off following a meal high in fats and refined sugars attenuated the impairment in executive function. This attenuation in executive function may not be caused by al-terations in CCA blood flow or cerebral perfusion.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Sedentary behaviour; Mental performance; Cerebrovascular function; Cognition; Nutrition
Subjects:	Q Science > QP Physiology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine > RA773 Personal health and hygiene including clothing, bathing, exercise, travel, nutrition, sleep, sex hygiene
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education and Science
Research Priority Areas:	Health, Life Sciences, Sport and Wellbeing
Depositing User:	Rhiannon Goodland
Date Deposited:	26 Jan 2022 09:03
Last Modified:	31 Aug 2023 09:07
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/10606

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