EXERCISE

BACKGROUND: Apply a more novel approach to systematically examine (1) associations of clustered cardio-metabolic risk and cardio-metabolic risk factors, and (2) theoretical substitution of sedentary time with either sleep, light physical activity (LPA) or moderate-and-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and substituting LPA with MVPA.

METHODS: Physical activity and sleep were objectively measured in 410 Flemish adults (55.5[±9.6] years, 64% men) with a SenseWear Pro 3 Armband. Cardio-metabolic risk factors (obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension,), cardiorespiratory fitness were objectively measured. Isotemporal substitution analyses were performed to assess the associations between substituting time from a potentially negative behavior into another, potentially positive, behavior.

RESULTS: Theoretical substitution of sedentary time with MVPA was associated with decreased clustered cardio-metabolic risk (b = -0.06 [-0.08;-0.04]) and substituting LPA with MVPA was associated with a decrease in clustered cardio-metabolic risk (b = -0.08 [-0.11;-0.04]). Substituting sedentary time with LPA or sleep improved HDL-cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and waist circumference.

CONCLUSION: Theoretical replacement of sedentary time with either sleep, LPA or MVPA was positively associated with improved cardio-metabolic risk factor status. Interventions for increasing cardio-metabolic health can focus on replacing sedentary time with either sleep, LPA or MVPA depending on the risk parameters that need to be targeted.