Can physical activity compensate for an otherwise sedentary life?
THE PROBLEM OF sitting still is on the rise. TV, social media, and computers are stealing more and more time, and some people are inactive for 90 per cent of their waking hours. Such a sedentary daily lifestyle has proven a serious risk factor for many of the most common diseases.
Sitting still means that our large muscle groups, particularly the buttock and leg muscles, are not used, which can lead to poor blood circulation and a reduced metabolism. This in turn leads to a rise in blood sugar levels, which causes inflammation and raises the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and premature death.
The health benefits of being active 3 times a week are thus heavily outweighed by an otherwise sedentary life.
Generally speaking, we have previously been focused on physical activity, but we are only now beginning to understand the importance of also avoiding a sedentary life.
RESEARCH SHOWS
SEVERAL MAJOR STUDIES have indicated that sitting too much (particularly with no activity at all) increases the risk of diabetes and of suffering and dying from cardiovascular disease and cancer. This has proven to be the case even with vigorous training in your spare time!
In an experiment, young, healthy men were instructed to be as physically inactive as they could for a period of 2 weeks. In just this short time, blood sugar levels were affected, fitness levels dropped, and the blood lipid count rose. This in turn increased the risk of conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
On the ends of the chromosomes sit telomeres, which affect how we and our cells age. Studies have shown that sitting still causes the telomeres to shorten, which means a shorter life compared with people who are more active.
BREAK UP YOUR TIME SITTING STILL
TO AVOID THE issues caused by sitting still, avoid sitting for more than 30–45 minutes at a time. Stand up and move about, go and get a coffee, talk to your work colleagues, or do something else. Just stretching your legs for a few minutes is enough to counter the negative effects of sitting still.
Stand up for your health
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