Sitting and vascular health in people with T1D
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of interrupting sitting with regular active breaks on peripheral and cerebral blood flow in adults with type 1 diabetes
IRAS ID
338230
Contact name
Katie Hesketh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Sedentary behaviour (sitting or lying down for prolonged periods) has been identified as a public health problem but if people take regular active breaks (short periods of physical activity) they can improve their health. However, little is known of how active breaks can potentially improve health for those who have type 1 diabetes – in particular, risk of heart disease and glucose control.
The primary aim of this research is to investigate the acute impact of breaking up prolonged sitting on femoral artery flow mediated dilation (FMD) in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) currently using closed-loop systems. The secondary aims include exploring the acute effect of breaking up prolonged sitting on cerebral blood flow and cerebrovascular function, metrics of interstitial glucose levels and dose of insulin administered by the closed-loop system, in addition to blood markers of endothelial function and inflammation.
The study will use a randomised, crossover design, in which the same participants will complete two 7-hour experimental trials. One trial (Sedentary) will involve participants sitting uninterrupted for 7 hours, while the other trial will require participants to interrupt 7 hours of sitting with 3-minutes of light-intensity walking every 30 minutes (Active Breaks). During both trials blood flow (peripheral and cerebral), arterial diameter and blood markers will be measured on two separate occasions (baseline and post (7hrs)). Interstitial glucose levels and insulin administration will be monitored 48 hours before, during and 48 hours following each trial visit. Diet for each participant will be controlled throughout each trial visit. The study will be conducted across multiple sites: including laboratories in the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences (SportExR) at the University of Birmingham (UoB), School of Sport and Exercise Sciences at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU).
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/PR/0098
Date of REC Opinion
11 Feb 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion