Standing more is insufficient to offset the poor health impacts of a sedentary lifestyle, and it may increase the risk of cardiovascular illnesses. According to a research published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, extended standing may not provide significant health benefits and may actually increase the risk of circulatory illnesses such as varicose veins. The findings call into question the widely held idea that standing workstations can eliminate the health concerns linked with prolonged sitting.
The modern sedentary lifestyle—sitting at a computer at work and then lazing at home—has been linked to a variety of health issues, including cardiovascular disease and premature death. Prolonged sitting and sedentary behavior are linked to an increased risk of illnesses like heart disease. According to research, sitting for more than ten hours per day increases the risk of cardiovascular disease by 15% for each additional hour. Furthermore, it increases the risk of orthostatic circulatory disorders such as varicose veins and orthostatic hypotension by 26% for every additional hour spent sitting.
While standing desks have grown in popularity as a cure to excessive sitting, a new study reveals that simply standing for extended periods of time may not be sufficient. Standing for more than two hours without moving elevated the risk of cardiovascular difficulties by 11% for every additional 30 minutes.
Standing Versus Sitting: Is One Better?
The study used accelerometer data from more than 83,000 participants in the United Kingdom to determine how sitting and standing affect cardiovascular and circulatory health. According to Dr. Matthew Ahmadi, the study’s first author and a research fellow at the University of Sydney, standing was neither connected with a lower nor an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, more time spent standing was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular problems.
Orthostatic circulatory disease includes several conditions related to blood flow, such as varicose veins. Prolonged standing forces blood to pool in the lower limbs, contributing to these issues. The results indicate that stationary behavior, whether sitting or standing, is problematic when performed for extended periods. “It’s not sitting or standing that’s the issue; it’s the continuous, uninterrupted lack of movement,” explains Dr. Scott Lear, Chair in Cardiovascular Prevention Research at Simon Fraser University.
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Expert Opinions on Movement
Despite the findings, other experts maintain that standing may be preferable to sitting if you had to stay in one spot. According to Dr. Michael McConnell, a clinical professor of cardiovascular medicine at Stanford Medicine, “For the same amount of sedentary time, standing was better than sitting.” Even McConnell admits that increasing standing does not reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Instead, including physical activity into everyday routines is critical.
Dr. Evan Brittain, an associate professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, agrees that standing has some advantages, especially if the alternative is prolonged sitting. He claims that while standing does not lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, it is “less harmful than sitting.”
How to Offset Sedentary Behavior
| Strategy | Description |
|---|---|
| Use a treadmill desk | Incorporating light walking can help break up long periods of sitting. |
| Switch positions regularly | A sit-to-stand desk can facilitate changing positions. |
| Set hourly movement reminders | Use alarms to remind yourself to take breaks. |
| Incorporate incidental activity | Tasks like getting up to make coffee or doing household chores can add movement. |
| Walking meetings | If possible, take phone calls or have meetings while walking. |
According to Dr. Ahmadi, “To optimize cardiovascular health, mixing standing with activities such as walking or stair climbing is essential.” This approach may help offset the adverse effects of sedentary behavior by keeping the body moving.
The study, which included over 83,000 people, found that standing does not significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and that it, like sitting, can offer dangers when done for extended periods of time. Standing time was connected to an increased risk of developing vascular disorders including varicose veins. Therefore, doctors advise frequent bursts of movement, such as short walks or mild exercises, to counteract the detrimental effects of sedentary behavior.
