In today’s world where technology dominates our lives, many of us find ourselves spending long hours sitting in front of screens or behind the wheel. This sedentary lifestyle can have negative effects on our health, which is why standing has gained popularity as a way to offset these harms. Standing desks are becoming a common sight in offices, and some industries are even encouraging workers to stand instead of sit.
Despite the growing trend of standing desks and standing more in general, a new study from the University of Sydney suggests that simply standing more compared to sitting may not actually improve cardiovascular health in the long run. In fact, it could even increase the risk of circulatory issues like varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis.
The research, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, revealed that sitting for extended periods of time, specifically over 10 hours a day, can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and orthostatic incidence. This highlights the importance of incorporating more physical activity throughout the day, rather than just standing more.
Lead author Dr. Matthew Ahmadi from the Charles Perkins Centre’s Mackenzie Wearables Research Hub emphasizes that standing for too long will not counteract the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle. Instead, he suggests finding ways to incorporate more movement into your day to improve cardiovascular health.
While standing more may not provide the health benefits some had hoped for, the researchers stress the importance of avoiding prolonged sitting. They recommend implementing regular movement breaks throughout the day for those who are sedentary or stand for long periods.
Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis, Director of the Mackenzie Wearables Research Hub, advises incorporating incidental movement and structured exercise into your daily routine to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. He suggests taking breaks, going for walks, using the stairs, and getting active during lunch breaks to keep moving.
Earlier research from Professor Stamatakis and Dr. Ahmadi found that even just 6 minutes of vigorous exercise or 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per day could help lower the risk of heart disease, even for those who are highly sedentary. This highlights the importance of staying active, regardless of how much time you spend sitting or standing.
The study conducted by the University of Sydney used data from over 83,000 UK adults to analyze the impact of standing on cardiovascular and circulatory health. While the data did not specifically focus on standing desk usage, it did shed light on the importance of incorporating movement into our daily lives to maintain a healthy heart.
