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Short bouts of accumulated exercise: Review and consensus statement on definition, efficacy, feasibility, practical applications, and future directions

Mingyue Yin, Yongming Li, Abdul Rashid Aziz, Aidan Buffey, David J. Bishop, Dapeng Bao, George P. Nassis, Hashim Islam, Hongying Wang, Jackson J. Fyfe, Jianfang Xu, Jianxiu Liu, Jiexiu Zhao, Jingwei Cao, Jonathan P. Little, Junqiang Qiu, Keith M. Diaz, Lijuan Wang, Liye Zou, Max J. Western, Meynard L. Toledo, Min Hu, Minghui Quan, Neville Owen, Niels B.J. Vollaard, Olivier Girard, Qingde Shi, Richard Metcalfe Orcid Logo, Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo, Ru Wang, Waris Wongpipit, Weimo Zhu, Wenfei Zhu, Weigang Xu, Xiaochun Wang, Xiaoping Chen, Xiong Wang, Xu Wen, Yang Liu, Ying Gao, Yue Fu, Zhaowei Kong, Zhenbo Cao, Zhengzhen Wang, Peijie Chen, Lijuan Mao

Journal of Sport and Health Science, Start page: 101088

Swansea University Author: Richard Metcalfe Orcid Logo

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DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.jshs.2025.101088

Abstract

BackgroundInsufficient physical activity and prolonged sedentary behavior have emerged as major global public health challenges. Short bouts (≤10 min) of accumulated exercise (SBAE) throughout the day may be a promising strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of prolonged sitting and promote physic...

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Published in: Journal of Sport and Health Science
ISSN: 2095-2546
Published: Elsevier BV 2025
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69515
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fullrecord <?xml version="1.0"?><rfc1807><datestamp>2026-01-08T17:07:26.2933266</datestamp><bib-version>v2</bib-version><id>69515</id><entry>2025-05-15</entry><title>Short bouts of accumulated exercise: Review and consensus statement on definition, efficacy, feasibility, practical applications, and future directions</title><swanseaauthors><author><sid>9bb783273dd9d54a2f3f66f75c43abdf</sid><ORCID>0000-0003-0980-2977</ORCID><firstname>Richard</firstname><surname>Metcalfe</surname><name>Richard Metcalfe</name><active>true</active><ethesisStudent>false</ethesisStudent></author></swanseaauthors><date>2025-05-15</date><deptcode>EAAS</deptcode><abstract>BackgroundInsufficient physical activity and prolonged sedentary behavior have emerged as major global public health challenges. Short bouts (&#x2264;10&#x202F;min) of accumulated exercise (SBAE) throughout the day may be a promising strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of prolonged sitting and promote physical activity, ultimately promoting overall health. However, previous ambiguity in defining this concept has resulted in a fragmented and inconsistent evidence base, impeding practical applications, the development of guidelines, and policymaking. The purpose of this study is to establish an operational definition of SBAE by synthesizing systematic reviews and research trials alongside an expert consensus. Additionally, it seeks to evaluate acute and long-term efficacy and feasibility, providing evidence-based recommendations for practice and future research directions.MethodsA literature search was performed across PubMed and Web of Science, followed by systematic screening and summarization of eligible studies based on predefined inclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria encompassed various modes/types of SBAE (bouts lasting &#x2264;10&#x202F;min, performed multiple times daily with &#x2265;30&#x202F;min intervals); both aerobic and resistance exercise were considered. Relevant systematic reviews and research trials were included. Methodological quality, risk of bias, and evidence certainty were assessed. Expert consensus was obtained through a survey to evaluate recommendations and agreement levels on findings.ResultsAfter analyzing 27 systematic reviews, 135 research studies, and an expert consensus involving 48 researchers from 11 countries, SBAE is defined as any exercise mode of activity, regardless of intensity, that is accumulated in either continuous or intermittent bouts lasting &#x2264;10&#x202F;min per session (including multiple intermittent sets) that are performed multiple times (&#x2265;2 sessions/day) per day, with intervals of &#x2265;30&#x202F;min between bouts or otherwise sufficient time for recovery. When used to interrupt prolonged periods of sedentary time, SBAE mitigates the acute adverse effects of sedentary behavior on more than 10 clinical biomarkers of endocrine, cardiovascular, and brain health/function among adults of diverse ages and conditions. Moreover, SBAE was superior for improving acute glycemic control compared to a single continuous exercise session. As a long-term intervention (average of 11 weeks), SBAE can improve over 20 health outcomes, including peak oxygen uptake, resting blood pressure, and metabolic health. Additionally, SBAE might be more effective than continuous exercise for improving longer-term glycemic control and body composition. Long-term completion rates for SBAE interventions are generally high (95%), with low dropout rates (12%) and high adherence rates even without supervision (85%), and its safety has been preliminarily validated.ConclusionAn operational definition of SBAE is provided along with its classification and acute and long-term efficacy. Practical exercise prescription recommendations and evidence-based strategies for various populations and contexts are provided. Future research should focus on generating high-quality evidence for SBAE in five key areas: quantification and monitoring, population-specific responses, optimization of exercise prescriptions, intervention efficacy, and practical implementation. Additionally, addressing policy, environmental, and promotional barriers is crucial for transitioning from expert consensus to public consensus, and for facilitating the application of this strategy in real-world environments.</abstract><type>Journal Article</type><journal>Journal of Sport and Health Science</journal><volume>0</volume><journalNumber/><paginationStart>101088</paginationStart><paginationEnd/><publisher>Elsevier BV</publisher><placeOfPublication/><isbnPrint/><isbnElectronic/><issnPrint>2095-2546</issnPrint><issnElectronic/><keywords>Short bouts of accumulated exercise; Exercise snacks; Consensus statement; Sedentary breaks</keywords><publishedDay>18</publishedDay><publishedMonth>9</publishedMonth><publishedYear>2025</publishedYear><publishedDate>2025-09-18</publishedDate><doi>10.1016/j.jshs.2025.101088</doi><url/><notes/><college>COLLEGE NANME</college><department>Engineering and Applied Sciences School</department><CollegeCode>COLLEGE CODE</CollegeCode><DepartmentCode>EAAS</DepartmentCode><institution>Swansea University</institution><apcterm>Not Required</apcterm><funders/><projectreference/><lastEdited>2026-01-08T17:07:26.2933266</lastEdited><Created>2025-05-15T09:21:58.2861305</Created><path><level id="1">Faculty of Science and Engineering</level><level id="2">School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Sport and Exercise Sciences</level></path><authors><author><firstname>Mingyue</firstname><surname>Yin</surname><order>1</order></author><author><firstname>Yongming</firstname><surname>Li</surname><order>2</order></author><author><firstname>Abdul Rashid</firstname><surname>Aziz</surname><order>3</order></author><author><firstname>Aidan</firstname><surname>Buffey</surname><order>4</order></author><author><firstname>David J.</firstname><surname>Bishop</surname><order>5</order></author><author><firstname>Dapeng</firstname><surname>Bao</surname><order>6</order></author><author><firstname>George P.</firstname><surname>Nassis</surname><order>7</order></author><author><firstname>Hashim</firstname><surname>Islam</surname><order>8</order></author><author><firstname>Hongying</firstname><surname>Wang</surname><order>9</order></author><author><firstname>Jackson J.</firstname><surname>Fyfe</surname><order>10</order></author><author><firstname>Jianfang</firstname><surname>Xu</surname><order>11</order></author><author><firstname>Jianxiu</firstname><surname>Liu</surname><order>12</order></author><author><firstname>Jiexiu</firstname><surname>Zhao</surname><order>13</order></author><author><firstname>Jingwei</firstname><surname>Cao</surname><order>14</order></author><author><firstname>Jonathan P.</firstname><surname>Little</surname><order>15</order></author><author><firstname>Junqiang</firstname><surname>Qiu</surname><order>16</order></author><author><firstname>Keith M.</firstname><surname>Diaz</surname><order>17</order></author><author><firstname>Lijuan</firstname><surname>Wang</surname><order>18</order></author><author><firstname>Liye</firstname><surname>Zou</surname><order>19</order></author><author><firstname>Max J.</firstname><surname>Western</surname><order>20</order></author><author><firstname>Meynard L.</firstname><surname>Toledo</surname><order>21</order></author><author><firstname>Min</firstname><surname>Hu</surname><order>22</order></author><author><firstname>Minghui</firstname><surname>Quan</surname><order>23</order></author><author><firstname>Neville</firstname><surname>Owen</surname><order>24</order></author><author><firstname>Niels B.J.</firstname><surname>Vollaard</surname><order>25</order></author><author><firstname>Olivier</firstname><surname>Girard</surname><order>26</order></author><author><firstname>Qingde</firstname><surname>Shi</surname><order>27</order></author><author><firstname>Richard</firstname><surname>Metcalfe</surname><orcid>0000-0003-0980-2977</orcid><order>28</order></author><author><firstname>Rodrigo</firstname><surname>Ramirez-Campillo</surname><order>29</order></author><author><firstname>Ru</firstname><surname>Wang</surname><order>30</order></author><author><firstname>Waris</firstname><surname>Wongpipit</surname><order>31</order></author><author><firstname>Weimo</firstname><surname>Zhu</surname><order>32</order></author><author><firstname>Wenfei</firstname><surname>Zhu</surname><order>33</order></author><author><firstname>Weigang</firstname><surname>Xu</surname><order>34</order></author><author><firstname>Xiaochun</firstname><surname>Wang</surname><order>35</order></author><author><firstname>Xiaoping</firstname><surname>Chen</surname><order>36</order></author><author><firstname>Xiong</firstname><surname>Wang</surname><order>37</order></author><author><firstname>Xu</firstname><surname>Wen</surname><order>38</order></author><author><firstname>Yang</firstname><surname>Liu</surname><order>39</order></author><author><firstname>Ying</firstname><surname>Gao</surname><order>40</order></author><author><firstname>Yue</firstname><surname>Fu</surname><order>41</order></author><author><firstname>Zhaowei</firstname><surname>Kong</surname><order>42</order></author><author><firstname>Zhenbo</firstname><surname>Cao</surname><order>43</order></author><author><firstname>Zhengzhen</firstname><surname>Wang</surname><order>44</order></author><author><firstname>Peijie</firstname><surname>Chen</surname><order>45</order></author><author><firstname>Lijuan</firstname><surname>Mao</surname><order>46</order></author></authors><documents><document><filename>69515__34473__f1d4d84b192249b8a3b22e8b10ccf93c.pdf</filename><originalFilename>Acceptversion-ShortBoutsofAccumulatedExercise-ReviewandConsensusStatementonDefinitionEfficacyFeasibilityPracticalApplicationsandFutureDirections (2).pdf</originalFilename><uploaded>2025-06-13T06:44:31.4947698</uploaded><type>Output</type><contentLength>4729304</contentLength><contentType>application/pdf</contentType><version>Accepted Manuscript</version><cronfaStatus>true</cronfaStatus><documentNotes>Author accepted manuscript document released under the terms of a Creative Commons CC-BY licence using the Swansea University Research Publications Policy (rights retention).</documentNotes><copyrightCorrect>true</copyrightCorrect><language>eng</language><licence>https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en</licence></document></documents><OutputDurs/></rfc1807>
spelling 2026-01-08T17:07:26.2933266 v2 69515 2025-05-15 Short bouts of accumulated exercise: Review and consensus statement on definition, efficacy, feasibility, practical applications, and future directions 9bb783273dd9d54a2f3f66f75c43abdf 0000-0003-0980-2977 Richard Metcalfe Richard Metcalfe true false 2025-05-15 EAAS BackgroundInsufficient physical activity and prolonged sedentary behavior have emerged as major global public health challenges. Short bouts (≤10 min) of accumulated exercise (SBAE) throughout the day may be a promising strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of prolonged sitting and promote physical activity, ultimately promoting overall health. However, previous ambiguity in defining this concept has resulted in a fragmented and inconsistent evidence base, impeding practical applications, the development of guidelines, and policymaking. The purpose of this study is to establish an operational definition of SBAE by synthesizing systematic reviews and research trials alongside an expert consensus. Additionally, it seeks to evaluate acute and long-term efficacy and feasibility, providing evidence-based recommendations for practice and future research directions.MethodsA literature search was performed across PubMed and Web of Science, followed by systematic screening and summarization of eligible studies based on predefined inclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria encompassed various modes/types of SBAE (bouts lasting ≤10 min, performed multiple times daily with ≥30 min intervals); both aerobic and resistance exercise were considered. Relevant systematic reviews and research trials were included. Methodological quality, risk of bias, and evidence certainty were assessed. Expert consensus was obtained through a survey to evaluate recommendations and agreement levels on findings.ResultsAfter analyzing 27 systematic reviews, 135 research studies, and an expert consensus involving 48 researchers from 11 countries, SBAE is defined as any exercise mode of activity, regardless of intensity, that is accumulated in either continuous or intermittent bouts lasting ≤10 min per session (including multiple intermittent sets) that are performed multiple times (≥2 sessions/day) per day, with intervals of ≥30 min between bouts or otherwise sufficient time for recovery. When used to interrupt prolonged periods of sedentary time, SBAE mitigates the acute adverse effects of sedentary behavior on more than 10 clinical biomarkers of endocrine, cardiovascular, and brain health/function among adults of diverse ages and conditions. Moreover, SBAE was superior for improving acute glycemic control compared to a single continuous exercise session. As a long-term intervention (average of 11 weeks), SBAE can improve over 20 health outcomes, including peak oxygen uptake, resting blood pressure, and metabolic health. Additionally, SBAE might be more effective than continuous exercise for improving longer-term glycemic control and body composition. Long-term completion rates for SBAE interventions are generally high (95%), with low dropout rates (12%) and high adherence rates even without supervision (85%), and its safety has been preliminarily validated.ConclusionAn operational definition of SBAE is provided along with its classification and acute and long-term efficacy. Practical exercise prescription recommendations and evidence-based strategies for various populations and contexts are provided. Future research should focus on generating high-quality evidence for SBAE in five key areas: quantification and monitoring, population-specific responses, optimization of exercise prescriptions, intervention efficacy, and practical implementation. Additionally, addressing policy, environmental, and promotional barriers is crucial for transitioning from expert consensus to public consensus, and for facilitating the application of this strategy in real-world environments. Journal Article Journal of Sport and Health Science 0 101088 Elsevier BV 2095-2546 Short bouts of accumulated exercise; Exercise snacks; Consensus statement; Sedentary breaks 18 9 2025 2025-09-18 10.1016/j.jshs.2025.101088 COLLEGE NANME Engineering and Applied Sciences School COLLEGE CODE EAAS Swansea University Not Required 2026-01-08T17:07:26.2933266 2025-05-15T09:21:58.2861305 Faculty of Science and Engineering School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Sport and Exercise Sciences Mingyue Yin 1 Yongming Li 2 Abdul Rashid Aziz 3 Aidan Buffey 4 David J. Bishop 5 Dapeng Bao 6 George P. Nassis 7 Hashim Islam 8 Hongying Wang 9 Jackson J. Fyfe 10 Jianfang Xu 11 Jianxiu Liu 12 Jiexiu Zhao 13 Jingwei Cao 14 Jonathan P. Little 15 Junqiang Qiu 16 Keith M. Diaz 17 Lijuan Wang 18 Liye Zou 19 Max J. Western 20 Meynard L. Toledo 21 Min Hu 22 Minghui Quan 23 Neville Owen 24 Niels B.J. Vollaard 25 Olivier Girard 26 Qingde Shi 27 Richard Metcalfe 0000-0003-0980-2977 28 Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo 29 Ru Wang 30 Waris Wongpipit 31 Weimo Zhu 32 Wenfei Zhu 33 Weigang Xu 34 Xiaochun Wang 35 Xiaoping Chen 36 Xiong Wang 37 Xu Wen 38 Yang Liu 39 Ying Gao 40 Yue Fu 41 Zhaowei Kong 42 Zhenbo Cao 43 Zhengzhen Wang 44 Peijie Chen 45 Lijuan Mao 46 69515__34473__f1d4d84b192249b8a3b22e8b10ccf93c.pdf Acceptversion-ShortBoutsofAccumulatedExercise-ReviewandConsensusStatementonDefinitionEfficacyFeasibilityPracticalApplicationsandFutureDirections (2).pdf 2025-06-13T06:44:31.4947698 Output 4729304 application/pdf Accepted Manuscript true Author accepted manuscript document released under the terms of a Creative Commons CC-BY licence using the Swansea University Research Publications Policy (rights retention). true eng https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en
title Short bouts of accumulated exercise: Review and consensus statement on definition, efficacy, feasibility, practical applications, and future directions
spellingShingle Short bouts of accumulated exercise: Review and consensus statement on definition, efficacy, feasibility, practical applications, and future directions
Richard Metcalfe
title_short Short bouts of accumulated exercise: Review and consensus statement on definition, efficacy, feasibility, practical applications, and future directions
title_full Short bouts of accumulated exercise: Review and consensus statement on definition, efficacy, feasibility, practical applications, and future directions
title_fullStr Short bouts of accumulated exercise: Review and consensus statement on definition, efficacy, feasibility, practical applications, and future directions
title_full_unstemmed Short bouts of accumulated exercise: Review and consensus statement on definition, efficacy, feasibility, practical applications, and future directions
title_sort Short bouts of accumulated exercise: Review and consensus statement on definition, efficacy, feasibility, practical applications, and future directions
author_id_str_mv 9bb783273dd9d54a2f3f66f75c43abdf
author_id_fullname_str_mv 9bb783273dd9d54a2f3f66f75c43abdf_***_Richard Metcalfe
author Richard Metcalfe
author2 Mingyue Yin
Yongming Li
Abdul Rashid Aziz
Aidan Buffey
David J. Bishop
Dapeng Bao
George P. Nassis
Hashim Islam
Hongying Wang
Jackson J. Fyfe
Jianfang Xu
Jianxiu Liu
Jiexiu Zhao
Jingwei Cao
Jonathan P. Little
Junqiang Qiu
Keith M. Diaz
Lijuan Wang
Liye Zou
Max J. Western
Meynard L. Toledo
Min Hu
Minghui Quan
Neville Owen
Niels B.J. Vollaard
Olivier Girard
Qingde Shi
Richard Metcalfe
Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo
Ru Wang
Waris Wongpipit
Weimo Zhu
Wenfei Zhu
Weigang Xu
Xiaochun Wang
Xiaoping Chen
Xiong Wang
Xu Wen
Yang Liu
Ying Gao
Yue Fu
Zhaowei Kong
Zhenbo Cao
Zhengzhen Wang
Peijie Chen
Lijuan Mao
format Journal article
container_title Journal of Sport and Health Science
container_volume 0
container_start_page 101088
publishDate 2025
institution Swansea University
issn 2095-2546
doi_str_mv 10.1016/j.jshs.2025.101088
publisher Elsevier BV
college_str Faculty of Science and Engineering
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hierarchy_top_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
department_str School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Sport and Exercise Sciences{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Science and Engineering{{{_:::_}}}School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Sport and Exercise Sciences
document_store_str 1
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description BackgroundInsufficient physical activity and prolonged sedentary behavior have emerged as major global public health challenges. Short bouts (≤10 min) of accumulated exercise (SBAE) throughout the day may be a promising strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of prolonged sitting and promote physical activity, ultimately promoting overall health. However, previous ambiguity in defining this concept has resulted in a fragmented and inconsistent evidence base, impeding practical applications, the development of guidelines, and policymaking. The purpose of this study is to establish an operational definition of SBAE by synthesizing systematic reviews and research trials alongside an expert consensus. Additionally, it seeks to evaluate acute and long-term efficacy and feasibility, providing evidence-based recommendations for practice and future research directions.MethodsA literature search was performed across PubMed and Web of Science, followed by systematic screening and summarization of eligible studies based on predefined inclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria encompassed various modes/types of SBAE (bouts lasting ≤10 min, performed multiple times daily with ≥30 min intervals); both aerobic and resistance exercise were considered. Relevant systematic reviews and research trials were included. Methodological quality, risk of bias, and evidence certainty were assessed. Expert consensus was obtained through a survey to evaluate recommendations and agreement levels on findings.ResultsAfter analyzing 27 systematic reviews, 135 research studies, and an expert consensus involving 48 researchers from 11 countries, SBAE is defined as any exercise mode of activity, regardless of intensity, that is accumulated in either continuous or intermittent bouts lasting ≤10 min per session (including multiple intermittent sets) that are performed multiple times (≥2 sessions/day) per day, with intervals of ≥30 min between bouts or otherwise sufficient time for recovery. When used to interrupt prolonged periods of sedentary time, SBAE mitigates the acute adverse effects of sedentary behavior on more than 10 clinical biomarkers of endocrine, cardiovascular, and brain health/function among adults of diverse ages and conditions. Moreover, SBAE was superior for improving acute glycemic control compared to a single continuous exercise session. As a long-term intervention (average of 11 weeks), SBAE can improve over 20 health outcomes, including peak oxygen uptake, resting blood pressure, and metabolic health. Additionally, SBAE might be more effective than continuous exercise for improving longer-term glycemic control and body composition. Long-term completion rates for SBAE interventions are generally high (95%), with low dropout rates (12%) and high adherence rates even without supervision (85%), and its safety has been preliminarily validated.ConclusionAn operational definition of SBAE is provided along with its classification and acute and long-term efficacy. Practical exercise prescription recommendations and evidence-based strategies for various populations and contexts are provided. Future research should focus on generating high-quality evidence for SBAE in five key areas: quantification and monitoring, population-specific responses, optimization of exercise prescriptions, intervention efficacy, and practical implementation. Additionally, addressing policy, environmental, and promotional barriers is crucial for transitioning from expert consensus to public consensus, and for facilitating the application of this strategy in real-world environments.
published_date 2025-09-18T05:29:50Z
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score 11.096295

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