Continuous sitting for long duration is a health-risk!
Posted on: 14/Apr/2015 6:03:34 PM
The Department of General Health in Sydney University, Australia, undertook a research with a team headed by 7 Professor Hyde Von Der Plaz involving 2 lakh persons.
A report on this survey was published recently in the medical magazine AIM. The report establishes that continuous sitting over long duration may lead to different kinds of physical problems.
Obesity & diabetes are the 2 most important complaints among them. As compared to the persons who spend less than 1 hour sitting in a day, persons who sit for over 11 hours a day get more affected. There is the probability that 40% of these people face the risk of death within the next 5 years.
The survey detailed all particulars such as physical work, weight, body health, etc with fair degree of accuracy and this was used for the research.
Going to the gym for doing physical exercises or long-distance walking are indeed advisable and recommended. However, it is more important NOT TO KEEP SITTING FOR LONG DURATION as it would cause physical hardships.
If working in an office, it is advisable to keep standing at frequent intervals for 20 to 30 seconds. One can stand while talking on the phone. One can avoid lifts/escalators and climb the stairs. Wherever possible, one can avoid sending e-mail & intercom within office and exchange information in person. One can get up from the seat every 30 minutes and walk for a few minutes. At least, one can change the sitting position, move the shoulders, and inhale/exhale deeply! This will help relax the muscles from stiffness!
Some notable points in the survey report
The survey was conducted over 5 years from 2009 till 2013 involving from 2 lakh persons about 45 years of age. As compare to a person who sits only for 3 hours a day, persons who sit for 6 hours a day are more likely to die within the next 15 years.
Generally, it is observed that most people spend 90% of their time sitting including the period of resting. This is very risky indeed!
