Habitual sedentary time and stationary time are inversely related to aerobic fitness

Abstract

A one metabolic-equivalent-of-task increase in peak aerobic fitness (peak MET) is associated with a clinically relevant improvement in survival risk and all-cause mortality. The co-dependent impact of free-living physical behaviours on aerobic fitness are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of theoretically re-allocating time spent in physical behaviours on aerobic fitness. We hypothesized that substituting sedentary time with any physical activity (at any intensity) would be associated with a predicted improvement in aerobic fitness. Peak volume rate of oxygen uptake ( $\dot{V}$ O₂peak) was assessed via indirect calorimetry during a progressive, maximal cycle ergometer protocol in 103 adults (52 females; [38 ± 21] years; [25.0 ± 3.8] kg/m²; $\dot{V}$ O₂peak: [35.4 ± 11.5] ml·kg^-1·min^-1). Habitual sedentary time, standing time, light- (LPA), moderate- (MPA), and vigorous-physical activity (VPA) were assessed 24-h/day via thigh-worn inclinometry for up to one week (average: [6.3 ± 0.9] days). Isotemporal substitution modelling examined the impact of replacing one physical behaviour with another. Sedentary time (β = -0.8, 95% CI: [-1.3, -0.2]) and standing time (β = -0.9, 95%CI: [-1.6, -0.2]) were negatively associated with $\dot{V}$ O₂peak, whereas VPA was positively associated with relative $\dot{V}$ O₂peak (β = 9.2, 95%CI: [0.9, 17.6]). Substituting 30-min/day of VPA with any other behaviour was associated with a 2.4-3.4 higher peak MET. Higher standing time was associated with a lower aerobic fitness. As little as 10-min/day of VPA predicted a clinically relevant 0.8-1.1 peak MET increase. Theoretically, replacing any time with relatively small amounts of VPA is associated with improvements in aerobic fitness.

Keywords: Cardiorespiratory fitness; Isotemporal substitution modelling; Objective activity monitoring; Physical activity intensity; Sedentary activity.