Leg Fidgeting Improves Executive Function following Prolonged Sitting with a Typical Western Meal: A Randomized, Controlled Cross-Over Trial

Simon Fryer, Craig Paterson, Lee Stoner, Meghan A. Brown, James Faulkner, Louise A. Turner, Aitor Martínez Aguirre-Betolaza, Gabriel Zieff and Keeron Stone
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Simon Fryer: School of Sport and Exercise, University of Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire GL2 9HW, UK
Craig Paterson: School of Sport and Exercise, University of Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire GL2 9HW, UK
Lee Stoner: Department of Sport and Exercise, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
Meghan A. Brown: School of Sport and Exercise, University of Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire GL2 9HW, UK
James Faulkner: Department of Sport and Exercise, University of Winchester, Hampshire SO22 4NR, UK
Louise A. Turner: School of Sport and Exercise, University of Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire GL2 9HW, UK
Aitor Martínez Aguirre-Betolaza: Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
Gabriel Zieff: Department of Sport and Exercise, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
Keeron Stone: School of Sport and Exercise, University of Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire GL2 9HW, UK

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 3, 1-10

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 significantly increased (worsened) completion time (mean difference [MD] = 5.2 s, 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 = 2.3 s, 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 alterations in CCA blood flow or cerebral perfusion.

Keywords: sedentary behaviour; mental performance; cerebrovascular function; cognition; nutrition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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