Standing or walking won't protect against this consequence of prolonged sitting

Even daily walks are not always able to neutralize the harm from prolonged sitting - this is the conclusion reached by specialists from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The results of the study were published in the journal Nature Communications.

As reported by BAKU.WS citing the study, scientists examined data from more than 15,000 people who had been using fitness trackers over the course of several years. In total, the specialists analyzed approximately 13 million days of observations, assessing participants' activity levels and time spent without movement.

It was found that on average, participants walked approximately 7,400 steps per day, yet remained in a seated position for nearly 12 hours daily. According to foreign experts, this lifestyle is directly associated with an increased risk of a number of diseases - including obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, fatty liver disease, depressive conditions, sleep apnea, and heart problems.

The authors of the study noted that additional physical activity does indeed help reduce the likelihood of certain conditions. For example, the risk of hypertension and liver disease was noticeably lower among people who walked about eight thousand steps per day.

However, in the case of ischemic heart disease and heart failure, the results turned out to be less optimistic. Even active study participants maintained an elevated risk if they sat without movement for prolonged periods. In the scientists' opinion, extended time spent in a seated position is in itself a serious health risk factor.

Additionally, the specialists pointed out that excessive physical exertion is not always beneficial either. The positive effect of increasing the number of steps was observed up to approximately the 12,000-per-day mark, but beyond that, the indicators began to worsen again.

The researchers emphasize that maintaining good health requires not only regular movement but also breaking up prolonged sitting as frequently as possible. According to the specialists, short breaks throughout the workday may prove no less beneficial than the usual daily step count.