The effects on osteoporosis of prolonged periods of
sitting – and the potential impact of less sedentary behaviour – are being
explored in research led at the University of Strathclyde.
The academics are investigating whether extended
periods of sitting, in a controlled laboratory setting, lead to increased bone
loss, and whether breaking up sedentary behaviour has the opposite effect.
They are expanding on their earlier research
which demonstrated that prolonged sedentary behaviour could have an adverse
effect on the hip bone mineral density of women.
The findings will have the potential to inform
and shape future public health policy and physical activity guidelines aimed at
improving bone health.
The study also involves colleagues at Glasgow
Caledonian University, the University of Birmingham, the University of East
Anglia and the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne.
Dr Alexandra Mavroeidi, a Senior Lecturer in
Physical Activity for Health in Strathclyde’s School of Psychological Sciences
& Health, is leading the study. She said: “Prolonged sedentary behaviour is
a major and growing public health concern, but its role specifically in
relation to bone loss and osteoporosis is not known.
“We know that in extreme environments, such as
total bed rest, bone loss is very high. In everyday life, long periods of
immobility such as this are rare; however, sedentary lifestyles are commonplace
in modern society, through transport, work and leisure.
“Studies have shown that self-reported sedentary
behaviour throughout the day is as much as six to eight hours and this
increases to eight to 10 hours in older adults. We were the first to show that
this type of behaviour might have an adverse effect on women’s hip bone mineral
density.
“We are now aiming to test this further and see
if extended periods of sitting in a controlled laboratory setting have an
immediate acute effect on the bone metabolism of older adults. We also aim to
examine the short-term effects, over five days, on healthy sedentary adults, of
reducing sitting time through increased standing bouts.”
The study will use data and blood samples which
have already been collected, but not analysed, in previous sedentary behaviour
studies by the research group. If the proof of concept study identifies a
significant effect of sedentary behaviour on bone metabolism, promoting
frequent breaks from sitting could be a possible, and simple, preventative
intervention for osteoporosis in later life.
The research is being funded by the Royal
Osteoporosis Society, previously the National Osteoporosis Society.
Professor Jon Tobias, Professor of Rheumatology
at the University of Bristol and Chair of the Society’s Research Grants
Committee, said: “The Research Grants Committee had a difficult job in
selecting a small proportion of successful projects among the large number of
interesting and high quality applications that we received, but we were
particularly impressed with Dr Alexandra Mavroeidi’s research proposal.
“Her project will conduct pioneering research
into the impact of extended periods of sitting on bone metabolism, and the
benefits of breaking up sedentary behaviour through more frequent bouts of
physical activity. This will help us to learn more about the mechanisms behind
osteoporosis, and give us a better understanding of the relationship between
lifestyle and bone health.
“Dr Mavroeidi’s project has strong potential to
make a significant difference, not only in the management of patients with
osteoporosis, but also in the prevention of the disease for future
generations.”
Source: University of Strathclyde
