Standing desks might not improve heart health, experts warn
In recent years, more people have been opting for standing work to counteract the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle. Standing desks are becoming standard in many offices, and employees often spend entire days in this position. But is standing actually beneficial to our health? As the latest research shows, the answer to this question may be surprising.
1:32 PM EDT, October 18, 2024
Research published in the renowned journal "International Journal of Epidemiology" provides new information on the impact of prolonged standing on health.
Researchers from the University of Sydney conducted a detailed analysis of cardiovascular health data from 83,013 adults in the UK. This data was collected over a seven-—to eight-year period, monitoring the participants' physical activity using modern wrist-worn devices.
Standing is not a remedy for a sedentary lifestyle
The research results show that prolonged standing does not benefit cardiovascular health.
- The key takeaway is that standing for too long will not offset an otherwise sedentary lifestyle and could be risky for some people in terms of circulatory health. We found that standing more does not improve cardiovascular health over the long-term and increases the risk of circulatory issues, emphasizes Dr. Matthew Ahmadi, the lead author of the study.
Moreover, studies suggest that prolonged standing may increase the risk of circulation-related diseases, such as varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis.
Sitting also poses a threat
In the context of the research, it's particularly worth noting that while standing does not contribute to improving heart health, prolonged sitting also has negative consequences.
According to the studies, sitting for more than 10 hours a day significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and blood pressure issues, emphasizing the need to incorporate movement into daily life.
- For people who sit for long periods on a regular basis, including plenty of incidental movement throughout the day and structured exercise may be a better way to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, says Prof. Emmanuel Stamatakis, the director of the Mackenzie Wearables Research Hub.
How to avoid the risks? Movement is the key to health
In light of these findings, experts recommend avoiding prolonged standing and sitting. Scientists suggest integrating physical activity into the daily routine, such as taking short breaks for a walk, using stairs instead of the elevator, or organizing meetings on the go.
- Take regular breaks, walk around, go for a walking meeting, use the stairs, take regular breaks when driving long distances, or use that lunch hour to get away from the desk and do some movement, advises Stamatakis.
He also suggests that you step away from the desk during breaks from work and ensure regular stops to stretch your legs during long drives.
Even short activity can help
The significance of moderate but regular physical activity was also highlighted. Dr. Ahmadi and Prof. Stamatakis’ research, published earlier this year, showed that even 6 minutes of intense exercise a day or 30 minutes of moderate activity can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, even for people who spend most of the day sitting.
Although this study did not directly address standing desks, the authors emphasize that using such furniture probably constitutes a small percentage of the total time spent standing. Ultimately, the research concludes that prolonged standing is not a healthy alternative to sitting, and regular physical activity, regardless of one's work position, remains the best way to improve cardiovascular health.
