Authors Instructions Methodology

Some household chores involve a level of energy expenditure, which can positively impact on metabolism (Ainsworth, 2000). Higher, but moderate, calorific outlay can be derived from infrequent but necessary garden tasks, vigorous housework, or the more occasional house maintenance requirements. Less energy is spent on the more frequently deployed gardening and housework duties, but all have the capacity to confer the same benefits that can be gained from attending an exercise class, as they all involve aerobic and strength based activity.

 

While acknowledging that those listed may not be performed on a daily basis they can contribute to the overall accumulated volume of physical activity and thereby enhance the health status of those living with diabetes (Nagasaki et al., 2014). Most exercise prescriptions have concentrated on moderate (and more recently vigorous) forms of exercise. However, there is increased recognition of the need to spend less time sitting, particularly within the workplace (McCrady & Levine, 2009) and this is an aspect of occupational activity that can be self-managed.

 

Reducing the volume of prolonged periods of sitting has demonstrated as favourable results as higher intensity modalities in relation to physiological biomarkers for those with diabetes (Dunstan et al., 2012; Duvivier et al., 2013). Indeed, moderate intensity exercise routines have been shown to be effective in high-CVD risk populations including reversing the sedentary related workplace risks (Alkhatib, 2015b; Alkhatib, 2015c) and the risks associated with sedentary older participants (Klonizakis et al., 2013; Alkhatib & Klonizakis, 2014).