Metabolic effect of breaks in sedentary time in subjects with type 2 diabetes

Lifestyle is considered a cornerstone in the management of type 2 diabetes. In particular, both aerobic exercise training and resistance exercise training improve glucose control and attenuate insulin resistance, and a combination of these two types of training is recommended in individuals with diabetes. Interestingly, several studies have clearly shown that sedentary behavior is associated with a number of adverse health outcomes, which are distinct from those simply imputable to a lack of regular, moderate to vigorous, physical activity and are only partially reversed by structured exercise training. Some recent studies investigated the effect of interrupting sedentary behavior in subjects with or without diabetes, showing clear beneficial metabolic effects. These findings suggest that lifestyle intervention, in the general population and especially in subjects with type 2 diabetes, should comprise periodical interruption of prolonged sitting by short bouts of light physical activity. This recommendation should be considered additional to, and not a replacement for, increased structured exercise.