Move it or lose it! Sitting at work is unhealthy!

William Atkins
Tuesday, 11 August 2009 18:01

Science - Health

And Ms. Andrews adds, “Two thirds of participants self-reported they were meeting the National Physical Activity Guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. However, the objectively measured data recorded by the accelerometers showed that, in fact, only one third were meeting this target.”

She explains, “We recommend employers explore opportunities to reduce sitting time in the workplace. Simple behavioural interventions such as standing meetings and using the stairs can be effective in getting people up and moving.”

The Medibank Private article quotes David Dunstan, who is the head of physical activity at Baker IDI.

Dr. Dunstan states, "We are now starting to understand that prolonged sitting may be an important contributor to poor health. This may be due to the absence of muscle contractions which are essential for energy expenditure and glucose control.”

He concludes, “The results of the Stand Up Australia study provide important new evidence that the modern workday is largely 'sedentary' and suggests that we now need to understand the extent to which prolonged sitting is an occupational hazard and a contributor to poor health in Australian workers.”

Obviously, this study does not apply just to Australian workers, but to all workers around the world that sit for hours at work each and every day. One of the suggestions by these researchers, and other researches, is to take the stairs, instead of the elevator, when performing your job at work.

Other suggestions are to get up periodically throughout the workday, and stretch and move about. Instead of calling or emailing someone in the office, walk over to their desk for a chat. In other words, stand up and move about for a healthier lifestyle at work.