Typical image of a person working while standing
Working while standing is becoming increasingly popular among people who want to counteract the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle caused by sitting in front of a computer for hours on end.
Standing desks in particular have become widespread among office workers, with many utility companies promoting them as a solution to health-related issues.
In today’s work environment, which relies heavily on screen time, the use of standing desks may be encouraged to ensure good health, as prolonged sitting can lead to various health risks, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). It happens often.
However, recent research shows that while standing desks are growing in popularity, they may not effectively negate the risks of physical inactivity. In fact, it can cause problems such as leg vein swelling and blood clots, raising concerns about its overall benefits.
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Continuous standing poses health risks
Despite the growing popularity of standing desks in offices and other efforts to reduce sitting time, more time standing does not necessarily improve cardiovascular health and may be linked to certain cardiovascular diseases. Research has found that it may even increase the risk of.
The study, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, found that standing for long periods of time compared to sitting did not improve cardiovascular health (coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure). There may be an increased risk of circulatory problems such as varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis associated with standing.
“This study examines the relationship between resting time (while sitting and standing) and orthostatic cardiovascular disease (such as orthostatic hypotension, varicose veins, venous ulcers, and chronic venous insufficiency) and cardiovascular disease (coronary artery disease). “We looked at the association with the incidence of heart disease, heart failure and stroke),” Dr. Sudhir Kumar, a Hyderabad-based neurologist, told South First.
Two important findings from the study
Prolonged sitting was associated with increased risk of both orthostatic cardiovascular disease and CVD. On the other hand, prolonged standing was only associated with an increased risk of orthostatic cardiovascular disease.
“Standing had no effect on CVD risk (was not associated with increased or decreased CVD risk),” Dr. Kumar said.
He also pointed out that there are two main inferences from this study:
Sitting for long periods of time is the last thing you want, as it can increase your risk of orthostatic cardiovascular disease and CVD. Standing for long periods of time (without walking or running) is also not completely healthy.
“This is because standing for long periods of time does not reduce CVD risk. Key takeaways from this study: To reduce CVD risk, reducing stationary time (sitting or standing) Furthermore, replacing sitting with standing alone (without any movement) does not seem to be sufficient to reduce CVD risk. , which may increase the risk of orthostatic cardiovascular disease,” he explained.
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How can I improve my cardiovascular health?
Study authors said there are other ways people with sedentary lifestyles can improve their cardiovascular health.
“The important point is that standing for long periods of time does not compensate for a sedentary lifestyle and for some people can be dangerous in terms of cardiovascular health. “We found that spending more time there does not improve long-term cardiovascular health and increases the risk of cardiovascular problems,” said Dr. Matthew Ahmadi.
Researchers found no health benefits to standing more, but warned against sitting for long periods of time. Instead, if you’re regularly sedentary or stand for long periods of time, we recommend creating a schedule that includes regular movement throughout the day.
What research says about sitting and standing?
Sitting for long periods of time (more than 10 hours a day) is associated with an increased risk of both cardiovascular and cardiovascular disease, but researchers found that simply replacing sitting with standing can reduce heart health. He stressed that it is not enough to protect health.
In a statement, Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis, director of the MacKenzie Wearables Research Hub, stressed the importance of incorporating regular physical activity throughout the day, rather than just relying on standing.
“For people who sit for long periods of time, the best approach is to incorporate lots of movement throughout the day. That might be walking, taking regular breaks, or engaging in more structured exercise,” Stamatakis says. the professor said.
“Standing alone does not reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease; it must be combined with other forms of physical activity that move your body.”
The findings suggest a shift in focus to adopting an overall more active lifestyle rather than just standing around.
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Recommended for people who sit for long periods of time
Get some movement: Take regular breaks and move your body, even if it’s just a walk or taking the stairs. Walking meetings: If possible, reduce sitting time by turning meetings into walking sessions. Use your breaks wisely: Instead of being sedentary, take time during your lunch break to walk outside or do some light physical activity. Systematic exercise: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise every day. This can significantly lower your risk of heart disease, even for people who spend most of their day sitting.
The big picture: Exercise is important
Standing desks and similar interventions have been widely adopted to address the negative effects of prolonged sitting. However, this study suggests that focusing on a combination of movement and exercise is a more effective strategy to reduce the health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
Research by Professor Stamatakis and Dr Ahmadi published earlier this year found that about six minutes of vigorous exercise per day, or 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise, lowers the risk of heart disease even in people who sit for more than 11 hours. One day it turns out that it can be lowered.
The study was carried out using incident cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular disease data from 83,013 adults in the UK over seven to eight years. The data was taken from people without heart disease at baseline and was measured using a research-grade wrist-worn wearable similar to a smartwatch.
The data used in the study were not explicitly collected regarding the use of standing desks. Instead, we measured the cardiovascular and circulatory effects of increased standing. The use of standing desks in this study is considered to be a very small proportion of total standing.
(Edited by Nina)
