title: Increasing the Energy Expenditure of Seated Activities in Older Adults with a Portable Elliptical Device.
abstract: The ill-health effects of sedentary behavior are becoming well-documented, yet older adults spend 70-80% of waking hours sedentary.
  
  
  
  To determine if a portable elliptical device increases energy expenditure (EE) while performing popular seated activities.
  
  
  
  Twenty older adults (68.1 ± 1.4 years) participated to compare the measured EE between seated rest and three randomized seated pedaling activities: computer use, reading, TV viewing. Each pedaling activity included 5-min of self-selected paced/no resistance (SSP) and externally paced/added resistance pedaling (Paced).
  
  
  
  A significant increase in EE existed during SSP (+1.44 ± 0.12 kcal/min) and Paced (+2.19 ± 0.09 kcal/min) pedaling relative to Seated Rest (p < .001). EE during the Paced activities was significantly greater than all SSP activities (p <.01).
  
  
  
  Extrapolating these results, pedaling at a SSP for an hour while performing seated activities is equivalent to the net EE of walking 1.6 miles. Future home-based effectiveness and feasibility should be explored.
authors.forename: Nicholas L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Lerma
authors.forename: Ann M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Swartz
authors.forename: Taylor W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Rowley
authors.forename: Hotaka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.forename: Scott J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Strath
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000886:Anthropometry; D003201:Computers; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011932:Reading; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D013690:Television
keywords: aging; home exercise; interrupted sitting; light physical activity; sedentary behavior