Pilot Study of Impact of a Pedal Desk on Postprandial Responses in Sedentary Workers

Physical inactivity has been linked to rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease through insulin resistance and other mechanisms. While sedentary workplace environments have unintentionally contributed to the risk for chronic diseases, innovations in the workplace environment could potentially rectify this public and occupational health problem. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of light intensity physical activity using a pedal desk (PD) compared to a standard desk (STD) in a pilot study on postprandial metabolic responses and work skills. METHODS: Twelve overweight/obese full-time sedentary office workers (6 men and 6 women; BMI= 28.7 ± 3.6 kg/m(2)) were tested in two conditions: (1) PD: pedaling at self-selected light intensity pace for 2-hr and (2) STD: remaining seated for 2-hr in a conventional workstation set up, while performing scripted computer-based work tasks. Blood samples were analyzed for plasma glucose, insulin, and free-fatty acids (FFA) in response to a standardized meal and work skills were evaluated. Paired samples t-tests were used to examine the differences in metabolic responses and work performance tasks between the conditions. RESULTS: PD use required significantly less insulin to maintain glucose concentrations compared with STD condition (peak insulin concentration 42.1 vs. 66.9 μU/mL, p = 0.03, and AUC 302.6 vs. 441.8 μU.min/mL, p < 0.001). No significant changes in plasma glucose and FFA concentrations were observed at any time-points (all p > 0.05). In addition, pedaling at a self-paced rate caused no adverse effects on work skills (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The PD resulted in lower post-meal insulin concentrations without an overall negative impact on work skills. Thus, the PD could have the potential to achieve public and occupational health goals in sedentary work environments.