The impact of uninterrupted sitting on central and peripheral cardiovascular function in pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women.

Independently, both prolonged uninterrupted sitting and the onset of menopause negatively impact markers of cardiovascular risk. Whether their combination augment these responses additively remains unknown. This study assessed whether prolonged uninterrupted sitting causes greater central and peripheral cardiovascular dysfunction in post-menopausal women compared to pre-menopausal women. To address this, 23 healthy women (13 pre-menopausal [43.77 ± 4.30 years] and 10 post-menopausal [57.20 ± 8.55 years]) sat uninterrupted for 2-h. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), pulse wave analysis (PWA), lower limb venous pooling (HHb), and calf circumference were assessed pre-and post-sitting using general linear mixed models, with age as a covariate. Changes in MAP over time (both between and within groups) was assessed using a two-way repeated-measures-ANOVA. There were no significant interactions for any outcome measures. However, for cf-PWV, there was a significant main effect of group (Δ = 0.854 ± 0.354 m s-1; p = 0.026, ηp2 = 0.707). For PWA, only heart rate (HR) and pressure forwards (Pf) showed significant main effects 13 of time [Δ = 6 ± 1 bts-min-1, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.861] and group [Δ = 3.893 ± 1.450 mmHg, p = 0.016, ηp2 = 0.271], respectively. Both HHb (Δ = 2.737 ± 0.952, p = 0.009, ηp2 = 0.742) and calf circumference (Δ = 0.812 ± 0.128 cm, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.863) significantly increased over time. Whilst post-menopausal women demonstrated greater overall arterial stiffness (increased cf-PWV at baseline), there was no difference in cardiovascular response (central or peripheral) to 2-h of prolonged sitting between the pre- and post-menopausal women.

The effect of cardiorespiratory fitness and habitual physical activity on cardiovascular responses to 2 h of uninterrupted sitting.

Prolonged uninterrupted sitting of >3 h has been shown to acutely cause central and peripheral cardiovascular dysfunction. However, individuals rarely sit uninterrupted for >2 h, and the cardiovascular response to this time is currently unknown. In addition, while increased cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and habitual physical activity (HPA) are independently associated with improvements in central and peripheral cardiovascular function, it remains unclear whether they influence the response to uninterrupted sitting. This study sought to 1) determine whether 2 h of uninterrupted sitting acutely impairs carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), femoral ankle PWV (faPWV), and central and peripheral blood pressure and 2) investigate the associations between CRF and HPA versus PWV changes during uninterrupted sitting. Following 2 h of uninterrupted sitting, faPWV significantly increased [mean difference (MD) = 0.26 m·s-1, standard error (SE) = 0.10, P = 0.013] as did diastolic blood pressure (MD = 2.83 mmHg, SE = 1.08, P = 0.014), however, cfPWV did not significantly change. Although our study shows 2 h of uninterrupted sitting significantly impairs faPWV, neither CRF (r = 0.105, P = 0.595) nor HPA (r = -0.228, P = 0.253) was associated with the increases.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We demonstrate that neither cardiorespiratory fitness nor habitual physical activity influence central and peripheral cardiovascular responses to a 2-h bout of uninterrupted sitting in healthy young adults.

The physiologic benefits of optimizing cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity - From the cell to systems level in a post-pandemic world.

Cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) is a leading cause of premature death and hospitalization which places a significant strain on health services and economies around the World. Evidence from decades of empirical and observational research demonstrates clear associations between physical activity (PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) which can offset the risk of mortality and increase life expectancy and the quality of life in patients. Whilst well documented, the narrative of increased CRF remained pertinent during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, where individuals with lower levels of CRF had more than double the risk of dying from COVID-19 compared to those with a moderate or high CRF. The need to better understand the mechanisms associated with COVID-19 and those that continue to be affected with persistent symptoms following infection (Long COVID), and CV health is key if we are to be able to effectively target the use of CRF and PA to improve the lives of those suffering its afflictions. Whilst there is a long way to go to optimise PA and CRF for improved health at a population level, particularly in a post-pandemic world, increasing the understanding using a cellular-to-systems approach, we hope to provide further insight into the benefits of engaging in PA.

Effect of home-based, overground robotic-assisted gait training on vascular health in people with chronic stroke.

Overground robotic-assisted gait training (O-RAGT) has been shown to improve clinical functional outcomes in people living with stroke. The purpose of this study was to identify whether a home-based O-RAGT program, in combination with usual care physiotherapy, would demonstrate improvements in vascular health in individuals with chronic stroke, and, whether any changes in vascular outcomes would be sustained 3 months after completing the program. Thirty-four participants with chronic stroke (between 3 months and 5 years post-stroke) were randomized to either a 10-week O-RAGT program in combination with usual care physiotherapy, or to a usual care physiotherapy only control group. Participants' (n = 31) pulse wave analysis (PWA), and regional [carotid-femoral pulse wave analysis (cfPWV)] and local (carotid) measures of arterial stiffness were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month post-intervention. Analysis of covariance demonstrated a significant reduction (improvement) in cfPWV between BL and PI for O-RAGT (8.81 ± 2.51 vs. 7.92 ± 2.17 m/s, respectively), whilst the control group remained unchanged (9.87 ± 2.46 vs. 9.84 ± 1.76 m/s, respectively; p < 0.05; ηp2 = 0.14). The improvement in cfPWV was maintained 3 months after completing the O-RAGT program. There were no significant Condition by Time interactions for all PWA and carotid arterial stiffness measures (p > 0.05). A significant increase in physical activity, as determined by the time spent stepping, was observed for O-RAGT between baseline and post-intervention assessments (3.2 ± 3.0-5.2 ± 3.3%, respectively) but not for CON (p < 0.05). The improvement in cfPWV, in combination with an increase in physical activity whilst wearing the O-RAGT and concomitant reduction in sedentary behavior, are important positive findings when considering the application of this technology for "at home" rehabilitation therapy for stroke survivors. Further research is needed to determine whether implementing "at home" O-RAGT programs should be a part of the stroke treatment pathway. Clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT03104127.

Pulse-wave velocity assessments derived from a simple photoplethysmography device: Agreement with a referent device.

Objective: Pulse-wave velocity (PWV), a common measure of arterial stiffness, can be measured continuously and across multiple body sites using photoplethysmography (PPG). The objective was to determine whether a simple photoplethysmography PPG PWV method agrees with a referent device. Approach: Photoplethysmography heart-finger PWV (hfPWV) and heart-toe PWV (htPWV) were compared to oscillometric carotid-wrist PWV (cwPWV) and carotid-ankle PWV (caPWV) referent measurements, respectively. In 30 adults (24.6 ± 4.8 years, body mass index 25.2 ± 5.9 kg/m2, 18 female), three measurements were made: two supine baseline measurements (Base 1, Base 2) and one measurement (Tilt) 5 min after a modified head-up tilt test (mHUTT). Overall agreement and repeated measures agreement (change in PPG PWV from Base to Tilt vs. change in referent PWV from Base to Tilt) were calculated using linear mixed models. Agreement estimates were expressed as intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). Main results: For hfPWV there was strong overall agreement (ICC: 0.77, 95%CI: 0.67-0.85), but negligible and non-significant repeated measures agreement (ICC: 0.10, 95%CI: -0.18 to 0.36). For htPWV, there was moderate overall agreement (ICC:0.50, 95%CI: 0.31-0.65) and strong repeated measures agreement (ICC: 0.81, 95%CI: 0.69-0.89). Significance: Photoplethysmography can continuously measure PWV at multiple arterial segments with moderate-strong overall agreement. While further work with upper-limb PPG PWV is needed, PPG can adequately capture acute changes in lower-limb PWV.

Localized activity attenuates the combined impact of a high fat meal and prolonged sitting on arterial stiffness: A randomized, controlled cross-over trial.

Exposure to acute prolonged sitting and consumption of a high fat (HF) meal have been shown to independently and additively impair central and peripheral cardiovascular function. This study sought to determine whether localized activity, namely leg fidgeting, offers a protective effect to these deleterious effects. Using a randomized crossover design with three trials, 18 healthy males sat uninterrupted for 180 min following the consumption of a low fat (LF, trial 1) or HF meal (trial 2). The third trial consisted of a HF meal but sitting was interrupted with 1 min of leg fidgeting (isolated bilateral plantar flexion) consisting of -250 taps per min every 5 min for the 180 min duration. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), aortic-femoral stiffness gradient (af-SG), superficial femoral blood flow, shear-rate and PWVß, triglyceride concentrations and lower-limb venous pooling (HHb) were assessed pre and post sitting in all trials. General linear mixed model found that following the uninterrupted HF trial, there was a significant worsening of cfPWV (mean difference (MD) = 0.57 mˑs-1; d = 1.04) and the af-SG (MD = 0.14, d = 0.50), and femoral artery blood flow (MD = 18 mlˑmin-1; d = 0.48) and shear rate (MD = 15 S1; d = 0.67) decreased. However, leg fidgeting was enough to prevent the combined deleterious effects of prolonged sitting following a HF meal. As there were no significant changes in the LF trial, the HF meal maybe the predominant driver when uninterrupted sitting is combined with a HF meal.

Acute sedentary behavior and cardiovascular disease research: standardizing the methodological posture.

Sedentary behavior has been identified as an independent predictor of future cardiovascular disease risk and all-cause mortality. To explain this association, a growing body of literature has sought to investigate the physiological underpinnings of this association with the goal of developing a biologically plausible model. In time, this biologically plausible model can be tested, and effective, translatable public health guidelines can be developed. However, to ensure that evidence across studies can be effectively synthesized, it is necessary to ensure their congruency and comparability. Although there are several key factors that should be considered and controlled across prolonged sitting studies, one pertinent issue is that of participant posture. There is currently a discourse within the literature regarding the posture that cardiovascular assessments are performed in and rest periods between posture transitions and subsequent measures. This perspectives piece makes the case for standardizing approaches across the research area and offers practical recommendations for future work.

Impact of Acute Uninterrupted Sitting on Cerebrovascular Hemodynamics.

Reductions in brain blood flow are associated with reduced cognitive function and cerebrovascular disease. Acute periods of uninterrupted sitting can lead to endothelial dysfunction, namely due to a reduction in shear stress and subsequent reduction in nitric oxide bioavailability. Little is known of the impact of sitting on brain health. The purpose was to determine the total brain blood flow response following a 60-minute bout of uninterrupted sitting. Using a parallel design, this study evaluated the impact of 60-minutes of sitting on total brain blood flow. Fifteen participants (n=15; age=24 ± 1yr; BMI=25 ± 1 kg/m2) sat, uninterrupted, for 60-minutes during the SIT protocol. To ascertain the contribution of blood pooling effects on total brain blood flow, ten participants (n=10; age=23±2yr; BMI=27±4 kg/m2) sat in a modified sitting (MOD) for 60-minutes. Finally, thirteen participants (n=13; age=23±3yr; BMI=26±4 kg/m2) remained supine for the duration of the 60-minutes as a time-control (TC). Brain blood flow was quantified through Doppler-ultrasound measurements of blood flow through the internal carotid (ICA) and vertebral (VA) arteries: (ICA blood flow + VA blood flow) × 2. Following the 60-minutes of sitting (SIT), there was a significant reduction in brain blood flow with time (p=0.001, η p 2 =0.05). Total brain blood flow did not significantly change in MOD (p=0.69, η p 2 =0.05) or TC (p=0.06, η p 2 =0.58) conditions. These findings indicate 60-minutes of sitting may alter cerebrovascular hemodynamics characterized by a reduction in total brain blood flow.

Physical Activity, Mental Health and Wellbeing of Adults within and during the Easing of COVID-19 Restrictions, in the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

Physical activity (PA) participation was substantially reduced at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between PA, mental health, and wellbeing during and following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in the United Kingdom (UK) and New Zealand (NZ). In this study, 3363 adults completed online surveys within 2-6 weeks of initial COVID-19 restrictions (April/May 2020) and once restrictions to human movement had been eased. Outcome measures included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short-Form, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-9 (mental health) and World Health Organisation-5 Wellbeing Index. There were no differences in PA, mental health or wellbeing between timepoints (p > 0.05). Individuals engaging in moderate or high volume of PA had significantly better mental health (-1.1 and -1.7 units, respectively) and wellbeing (11.4 and 18.6 units, respectively) than individuals who engaged in low PA (p < 0.001). Mental health was better once COVID-19 restrictions were eased (p < 0.001). NZ had better mental health and wellbeing than the UK (p < 0.001). Participation in moderate-to-high volumes of PA was associated with better mental health and wellbeing, both during and following periods of COVID-19 containment, compared to participation in low volumes of PA. Where applicable, during the current or future pandemic(s), moderate-to-high volumes of PA should be encouraged.

Leg Fidgeting Improves Executive Function following Prolonged Sitting with a Typical Western Meal: A Randomized, Controlled Cross-Over Trial.

Prolonged uninterrupted sitting and a typical Western meal, high in fat and refined sugar, can additively impair cognitive and cerebrovascular functions. However, it is unknown whether interrupting these behaviours, with a simple desk-based activity, can attenuate the impairment. The aim of this study was to determine whether regular leg fidgeting can off-set the detrimental effects of prolonged sitting following the consumption of a typical Western meal, on executive and cerebrovascular function. Using a randomized cross-over design, 13 healthy males consumed a Western meal and completed 180-min of prolonged sitting with leg fidgeting of 1 min on/4 min off (intervention [INT]) and without (control [CON]). Cognitive function was assessed pre and post sitting using the Trail Maker Test (TMT) parts A and B. Common carotid artery (CCA) blood flow, as an index of brain flow, was measured pre and post, and cerebral (FP1) perfusion was measured continuously. For TMT B the CON trial significantly increased (worsened) completion time (mean difference [MD] = 5.2 s, d = 0.38), the number of errors (MD = 3.33, d = 0.68) and cognitive fatigue (MD = 0.73, d = 0.92). Compared to CON, the INT trial significantly improved completion time (MD = 2.3 s, d = 0.97), and prevented declines in cognitive fatigue and a reduction in the number of errors. No significant changes in cerebral perfusion or CCA blood flow were found. Leg fidgeting for 1-min on/4-min off following a meal high in fats and refined sugars attenuated the impairment in executive function. This attenuation in executive function may not be caused by alterations in CCA blood flow or cerebral perfusion.

Associations of lower-limb atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis with cardiovascular risk factors and disease in older adults: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis contribute to vascular aging and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Both processes can be assessed simply in the lower-limbs and reflect systemic pathology. However, only atherosclerosis is routinely assessed, typically via ankle-brachial index (ABI). Arteriosclerosis can be assessed using femoral-ankle pulse wave velocity (faPWV), but no studies have identified whether ABI and faPWV similarly associate with overt CVD and risk factors, nor whether faPWV confers additional information. The aims of this study were to (i) compare associations of ABI and faPWV with traditional CVD risk factors, including age, sex, systolic blood pressure (SBP), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), smoking, and diabetes; and (ii) determine the independent and additive associations of ABI and faPWV with a composite measure of prevalent CVD. METHODS: We evaluated ABI and faPWV in 4330 older-aged (75.3 ± 5.0 years) adults using an oscillometric screening device. Associations between ABI and faPWV with CVD risk factors and CVD were determined using mixed-model linear- and logistic-regression. RESULTS: ABI and faPWV were associated with age, HDL, and smoking. ABI was associated with sex, TC, diabetes. faPWV was associated with SBP. Both ABI and faPWV were inversely associated with CVD. Low ABI (≤0.9 vs. >0.9) and low faPWV (≤9.94 vs. >9.94) increased the odds of CVD by 2.41-fold (95% CI:1.85,3.17) and 1.46-fold (95% CI:1.23,1.74), respectively. The inverse association between faPWV and CVD was independent of ABI and CVD risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: ABI and faPWV, measures of lower-limb atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis, are independently associated with CVD risk factors and prevalent CVD. Assessment of faPWV may confer additional risk information beyond ABI.

The Effects of Acute Exposure to Prolonged Sitting, with and Without Interruption, on Peripheral Blood Pressure Among Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous reviews have shown that exposure to acute prolonged sitting can have detrimental effects on several cardiovascular and cardiometabolic health markers. However, to date, there has been no synthesis of peripheral blood pressure data (including systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure), an important and translatable marker of cardiovascular health. Similarly, no previous study has consolidated the effects of sitting interruptions on peripheral blood pressure. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to (1) assess the effect of exposure to acute prolonged sitting on peripheral blood pressure and (2) determine the efficacy of sitting interruption strategies as a means of offsetting any negative effects. Subgroup analyses by age and interruption modality were performed to explore heterogeneity. DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science and, SPORTDiscus) were searched from inception to March 2021. Reference lists of eligible studies and relevant reviews were also screened. STUDY SELECTION: Inclusion criteria for objective (1) were: (i) peripheral blood pressure was assessed non-invasively in the upper limb pre-sitting and post-sitting; (ii) studies were either randomised controlled, randomised crossover or quasi-experimental pre-test vs post-test trials; (iii) the sitting period was ≥ 1 h; (iv) pre-sitting and post-sitting measures were performed in the same posture; and (v) participants were adults (aged ≥ 18 years), free of autonomic or neuromuscular dysfunction. Additional criteria for objective (2) were: (i) the interruption strategy was during the sitting period; (ii) there was an uninterrupted sitting control condition; and (iii) the interruption strategy must have involved participants actively moving their upper or lower limbs. APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: In total, 9763 articles were identified, of which 33 met inclusion criteria for objective (1). Of those articles, 22 met inclusion criteria for objective (2). Weighted mean difference (WMD), 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), and standardised mean difference (SMD) were calculated for all trials using inverse variance heterogeneity meta-analysis modelling. Standardised mean difference was used to determine the magnitude of effect, where < 0.2, 0.2, 0.5 and 0.8 were defined as trivial, small, moderate and large, respectively. RESULTS: (1) Prolonged uninterrupted sitting resulted in trivial and small significant increases in systolic blood pressure (WMD = 3.2 mmHg, 95% CI 0.6 to 5.8, SMD = 0.14) and mean arterial pressure (WMD = 3.3 mmHg, 95% CI 2.2 to 4.4, SMD = 0.37), respectively, and a non-significant trivial increase in diastolic blood pressure. Subgroup analyses indicated that the increases in systolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure were more pronounced in younger age groups. (2) Interrupting bouts of prolonged sitting resulted in significantly lower systolic blood pressure (WMD = - 4.4 mmHg, 95% CI - 7.4 to - 1.5, SMD = 0.26) and diastolic blood pressure (WMD = - 2.4 mmHg, 95% CI - 4.5 to - 0.3, SMD = 0.19) compared with control conditions, particularly when using aerobic interruption strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to acute prolonged uninterrupted sitting results in significant increases in systolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure, particularly in younger age groups. Regularly interrupting bouts of prolonged sitting, particularly with aerobic interruption strategies may reduce negative effects.

A Primer on Repeated Sitting Exposure and the Cardiovascular System: Considerations for Study Design, Analysis, Interpretation, and Translation.

Sedentary behavior, particularly sitting, is ubiquitous in many contemporary societies. This is a major societal concern considering the evidence for a strong association between sitting behavior and cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. Unsurprisingly, leading public health agencies have begun to advocate "reduction" in sitting behavior. Though, the guidelines are typically vague and non-specific. The lack of specific guidelines for prolonged sitting is attributable to the absence of available evidence to facilitate guideline development. To inform policy, well-designed randomized controlled trials are required to test the efficacy of specific and translatable sitting reduction strategies. To guide the design of randomized controlled trials, this review postulates that several gaps in the literature first need to be filled. Following a general discussion of the importance of sitting behavior to contemporary societies, each of the following are discussed: (i) acute sitting exposure and systems physiology; (ii) recommendations for a systems physiology toolbox; (iii) study design considerations for acute sitting exposure; and (iv) translation of sitting-focused research.

The aortic-femoral arterial stiffness gradient is blood pressure independent in older adults: the atherosclerosis risk in communities (ARIC) study.

BACKGROUND: Aortic arterial stiffness is a strong independent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, its dependence on mean arterial pressure (MAP) limits its clinical utility. The aortic-femoral arterial stiffness gradient (af-SG), a novel marker of CVD risk, may be a promising alternative, but its dependence on MAP is not known. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between MAP and the af-SG in healthy older adults and those with established disease, including hypertension and diabetes. METHOD: We evaluated the dependency of the af-SG on MAP in healthy older adults (n = 694, aged 74 ±â€Š5 years), and adults with hypertension (n = 2040, aged 76 ±â€Š5 years), and diabetes (n = 1405, aged 75 ±â€Š5 years) as part of the community-based Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. Carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity (cfPWV), femoral-ankle PWV (faPWV) and blood pressure were measured using standardized protocols. The af-SG was calculated as faPWV divided by cfPWV. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to test the independent association of MAP with af-SG, with adjustments for known confounders, including age, sex, BMI, blood glucose and heart rate. RESULTS: There was no significant relationship between the af-SG and MAP in healthy (ß = 0.002, P = 0.301), hypertension (ß = -0.001, P = 0.298) or diabetes (ß = -0.001, P = 0.063) population groups, with MAP explaining less than 0.1, less than 0.1 and 0.2% of the variance in the af-SG, respectively. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the af-SG may be regarded as a MAP independent index of arterial health and CVD risk in older adults.

Central and peripheral arterial stiffness responses to uninterrupted prolonged sitting combined with a high-fat meal: a randomized controlled crossover trial.

Independently, prolonged uninterrupted sitting and the consumption of a meal high in saturated fats acutely disrupt normal cardiovascular function. Currently, the acute effects of these behaviors performed in combination on arterial stiffness, a marker of cardiovascular health, are unknown. This study sought to determine the effect of consuming a high-fat meal (Δ = 51 g fat) in conjunction with prolonged uninterrupted sitting (180 min) on measures of central and peripheral arterial stiffness. Using a randomized crossover design, 13 young healthy males consumed a high-fat (61 g) or low-fat (10 g) meal before 180 min of uninterrupted sitting. Carotid-femoral (cf) and femoral-ankle (fa) pulse wave velocity (PWV), aortic-femoral stiffness gradient (af-SG), superficial femoral PWV beta (ß), and oscillometric pulse wave analysis outcomes were assessed pre and post sitting. cfPWV increased significantly more following the high-fat (mean difference [MD] = 0.59 m·s-1) meal than following the low-fat (MD = 0.2 m·s-1) meal, with no change in faPWV in either condition. The af-SG significantly decreased (worsened) (ηp2 = 0.569) over time in the high- and low-fat conditions (ratio = 0.1 and 0.1, respectively). Superficial femoral PWVß significantly increased over time in the high- and low-fat conditions (ηp2 = 0.321; 0.8 and 0.4 m·s-1, respectively). Triglycerides increased over time in the high-fat trial only (ηp2 = 0.761). There were no significant changes in blood pressure. Consuming a high-fat meal prior to 180 min of uninterrupted sitting augments markers of cardiovascular disease risk more than consuming a low-fat meal prior to sitting.

Arterial stiffness responses to prolonged sitting combined with a high-glycemic-index meal: a double-blind, randomized crossover trial.

Regular exposure to uninterrupted prolonged sitting and the consumption of high-glycemic-index (HGI) meals is independently associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. Sitting for as little as 1 h can impair the health of both peripheral and central arteries. However, it is currently unknown whether combined acute exposure to uninterrupted prolonged sitting and an HGI meal is more detrimental to global (peripheral and central) vascular health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of prolonged sitting (3 h), following the consumption of an HGI or a low-glycemic-index (LGI) meal, on global pulse wave velocity (G-PWV). Eighteen healthy participants [70% female, mean (standard deviation, SD) age = 22.6 (3.1) yr, body mass index (BMI) = 25.5 (6.1) kg/m2] sat for 3 h after consuming an HGI or LGI meal. G-PWV was assessed by incorporating three PWV measures (carotid-femoral, brachial-femoral, and femoral-ankle). The effects of time (PRE vs. POST) and condition (LGI vs. HGI) were analyzed using linear mixed models. Following prolonged sitting, G-PWV increased by 0.29 m/s (i.e., PRE vs. POST). However, the condition (P = 0.987) and time × condition (P = 0.954) effects were nonsignificant. The current findings support previous research showing an increase in arterial stiffness with prolonged sitting. However, in young and healthy adults, the arterial stiffness response was not worsened through HGI meal consumption.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We used novel statistical techniques and study design characteristics to examine how the cardiovascular disruptions due to prolonged sitting are changed after the consumption of low- and high-glycemic-index meals. The current study indicates that changes in arterial stiffness due to prolonged sitting are not worsened in young, healthy adults after the consumption of a high-glycemic-index meal.