There is an increased body of information suggesting that prolonged sitting is associated with health risks – even death when compared to active behaviors. The problem is that the evidence also suggests that exercise does not offset the effects. This means you can work out for hours at the gym, but if the remainder of the day is spent sitting, you have an increased risk of developing heart disease, cancer and other life threatening conditions.
So what can we do? According the study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, periodic 5 minute walks reduced impaired blood flow in leg arteries which can lead to cardiovascular disease among other health conditions.
You probably don’t have a treadmill at work, but just about anyone in a sitting occupation can find a few minutes every hour to get up from your chair, stretch and do a little walking. Maybe a few more bathroom breaks or trips to the cooler. The more sitting is interrupted the better off you are.