Pantelis writes:
Sitting is becoming the new smoking! This has become a very popular quote in the last few months as researchers have found that a sedentary life could be just as harmful, if not more so, than smoking. There is an increased risk of developing bowel cancer, cardiovascular disease and obesity if you are in a sedentary work environment for more than 10 years.
A recent study (2015) published from The British Journal of Sports Medicine has highlighted the need for guidance for employers in order to reduce the periods of prolonged sitting and promote more moving around in the work place. This is a motivation strategy for employers as it has the potential to boost productivity and profitability, for example by reducing sickness.
The recommendations for workers who are in mainly desk based jobs as presented in the original article are as follows:
“The initial aim should be to work towards getting at least two hours a day of standing and light walking during working hours, and eventually work up to a total of four hours per day.
- Seated work should be regularly broken up with standing work and vice versa. Sit–stand adjustable desk stations were highly recommended.
- Similar to avoiding remaining in a static seated position for a long time, remaining in a static standing posture should also be avoided.
- Movement does need to be checked and corrected on a regular basis, especially if a person experiences musculoskeletal sensations. Occupational standing and walking have not been shown to cause low back and neck pain, and can provide relief.
- People new to adopting more standing-based work may have some musculoskeletal sensations and fatigue as part of the process of adapting to this. If these cannot be relieved either by changing posture or walking for a few minutes, then the worker should rest, including sitting, in a posture that relieves the sensations. If discomfort persists, then medical advice should be sought.
- Employers should promote the message to their staff that prolonged sitting, across work and leisure time, may significantly increase one’s risk of cardiometabolic diseases and premature death.”
The take-home message is stand up and move more because how you treat your body today will have an impact on your long-term health.
See also:
Source:
http://www.nhs.uk/news/2015/06June/Pages/Office-workers-of-England-stand-up-for-your-health.aspx
