Important points
If you’re worried that you’re sitting too much at work, consider purchasing a standing desk.
New research shows that standing instead of sitting does not provide heart health benefits and may even harm your heart.
Researchers say the real healthy alternative to sitting is to move.
THURSDAY, Oct. 17, 2024 (HealthDay News) — Did you use a standing desk because you knew sitting was bad for your health? New research suggests it might be the wrong thing to do. It has been.
A study of more than 83,000 British adults wearing special exercise monitors on their wrists found that in the absence of real movement or exercise, there was no benefit to replacing a sitting position with a standing position. Ta.
In fact, standing for long periods of time can even have a negative effect on your heart, increasing your chances of developing problems such as varicose veins and blood clots in your legs, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), Australian researchers say. said.
Dr Matthew Ahmadi, lead author of the study, said: ‘Importantly, prolonged standing does not compensate for a sedentary lifestyle and can be dangerous for some people in terms of cardiovascular health. It means that there is a gender.”
Mr Ahmadi, deputy director of the Mackenzie Wearables Research Hub at the Charles Perkins Center at the University of Sydney, said: “Standing for long periods of time does not improve long-term cardiovascular health and increases the risk of cardiovascular problems. We found that it was increasing,” he said.
But none of the new discoveries mean people should ditch standing desks and go back to sitting work. Instead, incorporate more movement into your day, the team said.
Study co-author Emmanuel Stamatakis said: “For people who regularly sit for long periods of time, incidental physical activity and structured exercise throughout the day can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.” “Maybe that’s a better way to mitigate it.” He directs the research hub.
“Take regular breaks, walk around, go to walking meetings, take the stairs, take regular breaks when driving long distances, and use your lunch break to get away from your desk and get some physical activity. Professor Stamatakis added in a university news release. .
A study published by the same team in early 2024 found that people who engaged in just 6 minutes of vigorous exercise per day, or 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise, were “couch potatoes” for more than 11 hours per day. It has been found that heart risks can be reduced. .
Learn more about the health downsides of sitting at the Mayo Clinic.
Source: University of Sydney, News Release, 16 October 2024
what this means to you
Swapping standing for sitting won’t improve your heart. What’s important is movement.
