Association of accelerometer measured sedentary behavior patterns with cognitive functions in sedentary office workers: Insights from SMART-STEP study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Chandrasekaran, Baskaran^{a; 1} | Arumugam, Ashokan^{b; c; d; e; 2} | Pesola, Arto J.^{f; 3} | Davis, Fiddy^g | Rao, Chythra R.^{h; *}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Exercise and Sports Sciences, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India | [b] Department of Physiotherapy, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates | [c] Neuromusculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Group, RIMHS – Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates | [d] Sustainable Engineering Asset Management Research Group, RISE – Research Institute of Sciences and Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates | [e] Department of Physiotherapy, Adjunct Faculty, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India | [f] Active Life Lab, South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Mikkeli, Finland | [g] Department of Kinesiology, Hope College, Holland, MI, USA | [h] Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Dr. Chythra R. Rao MD DNB, Additional Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka – 576104, India. E-mail: chythra.raj@manipal.edu; Phone: +91 9448857793; ORCID: 0000-0002-4016-2683.

Note: [1] ORCID: 0000-0003-1439-9158.

Note: [2] ORCID: 0000-0001-5795-3812.

Note: [3] ORCID: 0000-0002-2984-9847.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:High levels of sedentary behavior in workplaces are currently recognized as an independent risk factor for cognitive dysfunction and poor mental health. However, sedentary patterns vary between workdays and non-workdays, which may influence cognitive functions. OBJECTIVE:The present study aimed to quantify and compare work and nonwork device-measured sedentary time (ST) and its association with cognitive function in Indian office workers. METHODS:In an ongoing randomized controlled trial (SMART-STEP), the baseline data of 136 full-time office workers, including accelerometer-measured sedentary patterns and cognitive functions, were analyzed. The ST was measured using a hip-worn accelerometer (Actigraph wGT3X-BT) for seven days, and executive functions were measured using computer-based tests. Linear regression models were employed to analyze the relationships between ST and executive function measures. RESULTS:The median daily ST of Indian office workers was 11.41 hours. The ST was greater on both workdays (11.43 hrs.) and non-workdays (11.14 hrs.) though different (F = 6.76, p = 0.001, ηp2 = 0.032). Office workers accumulate more prolonged sitting bouts (+21.36 min) during work days than non-workdays. No associations between device-measured ST and executive functions were observed. CONCLUSION:Indian office workers exhibited high ST patterns, especially on workdays. Although lower than workdays, Indian office workers exhibited more ST patterns during non-workdays than did their Western counterparts. Culturally adaptable workplace and leisure time physical activity interventions are needed to address the high ST of Indian office workers.

Keywords: Prevalence, sedentary time, workplace sitting, reaction times, cognition, Indian, office worker

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-240129

Journal: Work, vol. 79, no. 4, pp. 2045-2058, 2024