Honors College Theses

Publication Date

5-2024

Major

Rehabilitation Sciences (B.S.)

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (open access)

Faculty Mentor

Andrew Flatt

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the effectiveness of brief bouts of treadmill walking and bodyweight-based muscular strengthening exercises to mitigate the effects of sedentary behavior on blood pressure, blood glucose, cognitive performance, and perceived fatigue. Methods: Healthy young adults (n = 9) completed 3 experimental trials consisting of 4-hour sedentary periods. The trials consisted of an uninterrupted sedentary period (control), treadmill walking every 30 minutes for 5 minutes, and bodyweight-based muscular strengthening exercises every 30 minutes for 5 minutes. Blood glucose was measured at baseline and every 30 minutes thereafter. Blood pressure and fatigue were measured at baseline and every hour thereafter. Cognitive performance was measured at baseline and post-trial. A standardized breakfast was consumed by each participant following baseline assessment. Results: Main effects of time were observed for systolic blood pressure and blood glucose (Ps <0.05). Systolic blood pressure was lower at baseline versus 60 and 240 min time points (Ps <0.05), and blood glucose at baseline was lower than 60-120 min time points (Ps <0.05). A main effect of group was observed for fatigue (P <0.01). Fatigue for the aerobic condition was lower than control (P <0.01). Conclusions: Despite no significant interaction effects, aerobic exercise in the form of treadmill walking tended to more effectively mitigate fatigue and increases in systolic blood pressure.

Thesis Summary

This study examined the effectiveness of brief bouts of treadmill walking and bodyweight-based muscular strengthening exercises to mitigate the effects of sedentary behavior on blood pressure, blood glucose, cognitive performance, and perceived fatigue.

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