Energy Cost of Stepping in Place while Watching Television Commercials

Abstract
Introduction Modifying sedentary television (TV) watching behaviors by stepping in place during commercials (TV commercial stepping) could increase physical activity and energy expenditure. Purpose The study’s purpose was to determine the energy cost of TV commercial stepping and to quantify the amount of activity (number of steps and minutes) performed during 1 h of TV commercial stepping. Methods In part 1, 23 adults (27.8 ± 7.0 yr) had their energy expenditure measured at rest, sitting, standing, stepping in place, and walking at 3.0 mph on the treadmill. The second part of this study involved 1 h of sedentary TV viewing and 1 h of TV commercial stepping. Actual steps were counted with a hand tally counter. Results There were no differences (P = 0.76) between the caloric requirements of reclining rest (79 ± 16 kcal·h−1) and sedentary TV viewing (81 ± 19 kcal·h−1). However, stepping in place (258 ± 76 kcal·h−1), walking at 3.0 mph on the treadmill (304 ± 71 kcal·h−1), and 1 h of TV commercial stepping (148 ± 40 kcal·h−1) had a higher caloric requirement than either reclining rest or sedentary TV viewing (P < 0.001). One hour of TV commercial stepping resulted in an average of 25.2 ± 2.6 min of physical activity and 2111 ± 253 steps. Conclusions Stepping in place during commercials can increase the energy cost and amount of activity performed during TV viewing.