Project R-13222

Physical activity and cardiometablic health: do sedentary behaviour patterns affect this? (Research)

Non-communicable diseases (NCD) are the major cause of death worldwide but can be prevented substantially by moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) in a cost-effective manner leading to better general health. It is becoming clear however, that people who meet the WHO MVPA guidelines can still be metabolically unhealthy if they have a sedentary lifestyle. To date, it appears that interrupting sedentary behaviour (SB) throughout the day with bursts of light physical activity (LPA) may be key towards decreased mortality and optimal protection against NCDs. The complex interactions between SB, LPA and MVPA and their effects on cardiometabolic health (CMH) however, remain largely unclear. In this PhD. project, I aim to expand upon findings that position PA as an important preventative measure for cardiometabolic diseases. I will first investigate the impact of activity patterns on CMH based on the level of MVPA and SB. Hereafter, I study the effects of introducing LPA breaks in SB on CMH measures. Finally, I will test the optimal activity profile under free living conditions to evaluate effectiveness and feasibility to improve CMH while comparing it to an activity profile based on the WHO PA guideline. Considering the prevalence of cardiometabolic disease and the potential of PA and SB adjustments to prevent disease development and progression, a large patient population would benefit from optimalisation of individual activity patterns.

01 November 2022 - 31 October 2026