A 2-wk reduction of ambulatory activity attenuates peripheral insulin sensitivity

Rikke Krogh-Madsen, John P Thyfault, Christa Broholm, Ole Hartvig Mortensen, Rasmus H. Olsen, Remi Mounier, Peter Plomgaard, Gerrit van Hall, Frank W Booth, Bente K Pedersen

    166 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    US adults take between ∼2,000 and ∼ 12,000 steps per day, a wide range of ambulatory activity that at the low range could increase risk for developing chronic metabolic diseases. Dramatic reductions in physical activity induce insulin resistance; however, it is uncertain if and how low ambulatory activity would influence peripheral insulin sensitivity. We aimed to explore if healthy, nonexercising subjects who went from a normal to a low level of ambulatory activity for 2 wk would display metabolic alterations including reduced peripheral insulin sensitivity. To do this ten healthy young men decreased their daily activity level from a mean of 10, 501 ± 808 to 1, 344 ± 33 steps/day for 2 wk. Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps with stable isotopes and muscle biopsies, maximal oxygen consumption (V̇o2 max) tests, and blood samples were performed pre- and postintervention. A reduced number of daily steps induced a significant reduction of 17% in the glucose infusion rate (GIR) during the clamp. This reduction was due to a decline in peripheral insulin sensitivity with no effect on hepatic endogenous glucose production. The insulinstimulated ratio of PAktthr308/total Akt decreased after step reduction, with a post hoc analysis revealing the most pronounced effect after 4 h of insulin infusion. In addition, the 2-wk period induced a 7% decline in V̇o2max (ml/min; cardiovascular fitness). Lean mass of legs, but not arms and trunk, decreased concurrently. Taken together, one possible biological cause for the public health problem of Type 2 diabetes has been identified. Reduced ambulatory activity for 2 wk in healthy, nonexercising young men significantly reduced peripheral insulin sensitivity, cardiovascular fitness, and lean leg mass.

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalJournal of Applied Physiology
    Volume108
    Issue number5
    Pages (from-to)1034-40
    Number of pages7
    ISSN8750-7587
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2010

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