Study to explore how to offset the health risks of sitting for too long
Researchers at Loughborough University are seeking overweight or obese male participants for a study that explores how to offset the health risks of sitting down for too long.
The aim of the research is to investigate the benefits of implementing a physical activity schedule, into the lives of adults who spend large proportions of their day sitting. The schedule includes brief periods of walking and light resistance exercises, performed on three occasions
Health screening to confirm if volunteers are eligible to take part in the research
An experimental visit where participants will be asked to sit in a chair throughout the session
Another experimental session where participants will be asked to sit in a chair, which will be interrupted with light intensity walking and a resistance exercise routine
Blood samples will be taken throughout the 2nd and 3rd visits. Participants will be provided with results from assessments related to: Blood and heart health, body composition, appetite and sleep
After the first visit, participants will be given a leg monitor to record how much time they spend sitting, standing, and how active they are on a day-to-day basis.
Aron Sherry, a Research Associate within the university’s School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, said: “Many adults in the UK spend most of their day sitting. Long periods of sitting have been linked to an increased risk of health problems such a type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
“There is evidence that breaking up sitting time with light or moderate intensity physical activity can provide benefits to people’s health and well-being. However, this evidence is based on physical activity being performed very frequently (e.g. every 30 minutes) which isn’t realistic for people during work hours or leisure time.
“We believe our schedule is realistic to achieve during a day and will encourage people to move more.”
To take part in the study, participants must be male, a non-smoker, be able to perform exercise, with no history of cardiovascular disease and not receiving treatment for any other major diseases.
Those who take part in the study will be reimbursed for their travel to and from the university.
For more information please contact Aron Sherry on A.P.Sherry@lboro.ac.uk or 01509 228462 / 07938708773
Notes for editors
Press release reference number: 19/102
Loughborough University is equipped with a live in-house broadcast unit via the Globelynx network. To arrange an interview with one of our experts please contact the press office on 01509 223491. Bookings can be made online via www.globelynx.com
Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2019 QS World University Rankings, University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2019 and top in the country for its student experience in the 2018 THE Student Experience Survey.
Loughborough is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 4th in the Guardian University League Table 2020, 5th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019 and 8th in The UK Complete University Guide 2020.
Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.
Loughborough staff, students and alumni make a real difference. They challenge convention, think creatively and find solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing society today and in the future.
Researchers at Loughborough University are seeking overweight or obese male participants for a study that explores how to offset the health risks of sitting down for too long.
The aim of the research is to investigate the benefits of implementing a physical activity schedule, into the lives of adults who spend large proportions of their day sitting. The schedule includes brief periods of walking and light resistance exercises, performed on three occasions
Health screening to confirm if volunteers are eligible to take part in the research
An experimental visit where participants will be asked to sit in a chair throughout the session
Another experimental session where participants will be asked to sit in a chair, which will be interrupted with light intensity walking and a resistance exercise routine
Blood samples will be taken throughout the 2nd and 3rd visits. Participants will be provided with results from assessments related to: Blood and heart health, body composition, appetite and sleep
After the first visit, participants will be given a leg monitor to record how much time they spend sitting, standing, and how active they are on a day-to-day basis.
Aron Sherry, a Research Associate within the university’s School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, said: “Many adults in the UK spend most of their day sitting. Long periods of sitting have been linked to an increased risk of health problems such a type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
“There is evidence that breaking up sitting time with light or moderate intensity physical activity can provide benefits to people’s health and well-being. However, this evidence is based on physical activity being performed very frequently (e.g. every 30 minutes) which isn’t realistic for people during work hours or leisure time.
“We believe our schedule is realistic to achieve during a day and will encourage people to move more.”
To take part in the study, participants must be male, a non-smoker, be able to perform exercise, with no history of cardiovascular disease and not receiving treatment for any other major diseases.
Those who take part in the study will be reimbursed for their travel to and from the university.
For more information please contact Aron Sherry on A.P.Sherry@lboro.ac.uk or 01509 228462 / 07938708773
Notes for editors
Press release reference number: 19/102
Loughborough University is equipped with a live in-house broadcast unit via the Globelynx network. To arrange an interview with one of our experts please contact the press office on 01509 223491. Bookings can be made online via www.globelynx.com
Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2019 QS World University Rankings, University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2019 and top in the country for its student experience in the 2018 THE Student Experience Survey.
Loughborough is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 4th in the Guardian University League Table 2020, 5th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019 and 8th in The UK Complete University Guide 2020.
Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.
Loughborough staff, students and alumni make a real difference. They challenge convention, think creatively and find solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing society today and in the future.
