If you find yourself sitting all day, you may be glad to know that an hour of exercise a day is enough to combat the effects of a sedentary lifestyle. There is a mounting body of research showing that prolonged sitting is bad for your health, so finding a solution to the problem is necessary.
An hour of exercise can be as simple as walking or riding a bike, but it’s powerful enough to combat the harmful effects of sitting.
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Lead researcher of the study Ulf Ekelund said, “These results provide further evidence on the benefits of physical activity, particularly in societies where increasing numbers of people have to sit for long hours for work or commuting. Unfortunately, only 25 percent of our sample exercised an hour a day or more.”
The study found that watching TV for over three hours increased the risk of premature death regardless of physical activity, except among those who were the most physically active. And yet, there was still an increase in premature death even among those who exercised the most.
The researchers reviewed 16 previously published studies and divided the participants into four groups: moderate-intensity exercise for five minutes of a day, 25 to 35 minutes a day, 50 to 65 minutes a day, and 60 to 75 minutes a day.
Increased mortality risk varied between 12 and 59 percent, depending on the level of physical activity.
Ekelund added, “Indeed, those belonging to the most active group, and who are active about 60 to 75 minutes per day, seem to have no increased risk of mortality, even if they sit for more than eight hours a day. Sit less, move more, and the more you move the better.”
A growing problem, inactivity and sedentary lifestyle are now the focus of extensive research. Recognizing this threat and taking the necessary measures to prevent health problems associated with prolonged sitting is essential for a long and healthy life. This means either shortening the TV watching time or taking more frequent breaks throughout the day to get moving.
Emily Lunardo studied medical sociology at York University with a strong focus on the social determinants of health and mental illness. She is a registered Zumba instructor, as well as a Canfit Pro trainer, who teaches fitness classes on a weekly basis. Emily practices healthy habits in her own life as well as helps others with their own personal health goals. Emily joined Bel Marra Health as a health writer in 2013.
