Frequent Versus Single Active Bouts Differentially Affect Movement Behavior and Energy Balance in Adults With Overweight/Obesity.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the effects of breaking up sedentary behavior (SB) on daily movement behavior and energy balance in adults with overweight/obesity.

Methods

Thirty participants (16F/14M; 34.2 ± 7.3 years; 29.5 ± 3.2 kg/m2) were randomized to either BREAK (multiple 5-min brisk walking bouts) or a duration-matched intervention, ONE (45-min brisk walking), performed 5 days/week for 6 weeks. At pre- and post-intervention, daily SB and physical activity (PA; accelerometry), body composition (doubly labeled water [DLW]), total daily energy expenditure (TDEE; DLW), appetite, and fasting leptin were measured. Linear mixed-effects models tested time effects and group-by-time interactions.

Results

Only BREAK reduced prolonged SB (interaction: p = 0.043). Both groups shifted SB-PA composition toward greater moderate-to-vigorous PA, with proportional reductions in SB and light PA (time: all p ≤ 0.011). These changes in PA level were associated with increased TDEE (time: p = 0.040). ONE showed small increases in body and fat mass compared with BREAK (interaction: both p ≤ 0.061). No differences were noted in metabolizable energy intake, appetite, or leptin levels.

Conclusions

Spreading short PA bouts throughout the day increases moderate-to-vigorous PA and TDEE to the same extent as a traditional continuous PA bout. Future studies should investigate whether the modest body composition changes observed across interventions are driven by distinct behavioral/physiological compensations influenced by the daily pattern of PA/SB. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02998892.