Optimizing physical activity bouts to interrupt sedentary behaviour for cardiometabolic health: a systematic review and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials
Pooled result · Blood glucose (frequent PA bouts vs sedentary control)Result — go to the resultSMD −0.22 95% CI −0.27 to −0.16Authors' conclusion
In acute experimental settings, glucose regulation appears to benefit more from frequent PA bouts, while triglyceride responses are more closely related to greater duration and/or intensity. Blood pressure shows favourable acute responses across PA types, whereas higher PA intensity is associated with improved endothelial function.
Study context
- Population
- Adults aged 18–65 years, with or without cardiometabolic conditions
- Participants
- 2,216 adults · 144 studies
- Comparison
- Physical activity (PA) bouts interrupting sedentary behaviour vs sedentary control
Methodological detailsrandom-effects, subgroup and meta-regression analyses, Searched to February 2025
- Random-effects
- Subgroup and meta-regression analyses
- Searched to February 2025
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Blood glucose (frequent PA bouts vs sedentary control)
SMD
−0.22
95% CI −0.27 to −0.16
Frequent PA bouts vs Sedentary control
SMD −0.22 (95% CI −0.27 to −0.16)
Original publication
Optimizing physical activity bouts to interrupt sedentary behaviour for cardiometabolic health: a systematic review and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials. Eur J Prev Cardiol. Published 1 April 2026. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it