When it comes to staying fit, most scientists admit that Americans just aren’t staying active. Worse yet, most adults don’t get enough exercise, increasing their risk of heart disease.
Now, a new study shows something worse–that just staying sedentary for a couple of hours may increase the risk of heart disease.
The research was conducted by cardiologist at the UT Southwestern Medical Center.
“Previous studies have reported that sedentary behavior was associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular outcomes; however, the mechanisms through which this occurs are not completely understood,” says Dr. Jarett Berry, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Clinical Science for the UT Southwestern Medical Center. “Our data suggest that sedentary behavior may increase risk through an impact on lower fitness levels, and that avoiding sedentary behavior throughout the day may represent an important companion strategy to improve fitness and health, outside of regular exercise activity.”
Gathering data from men and women between the ages of 12 and 49 who did not heave heart disease, stroke, or asthma, researchers looked at how frequently they exercised and engaged in sedentary behavior, two risk factors linked to a higher risk of heart problems. They also measured their fitness levels by having them run on a treadmill.
After adjusting the data to include other variables that could influence a person’s physical health, such as age, gender, and body mass index, researchers found some shocking revelations. For those who stayed active for at least one hour a day, staying sedentary for just six hours–something most people do during an average work day–undid all of this progress. In turn, those who stayed mostly sedentary throughout the day were less healthy, regardless of how much they exercised.
For Dr. Jacquelyn Kulinski, study author and a recent graduate from the UT Southwestern Cardiology Fellowship Training Program, these results are worrying.
“We also found that when sitting for prolonged periods of time, any movement is good movement, and was also associated with better fitness,” says Kulinski. “So if you are stuck at your desk for a while, shift positions frequently, get up and stretch in the middle of a thought, pace while on a phone call, or even fidget.”
In turn, other cardiologists say that keeping yourself moving throughout the day is a better strategy for improving heart health. For instance, one cardiologist recommends taking short walks whenever you can, such as during your lunch break. Finding ways to exert yourself more, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, is also a smart way to avoid staying sedentary.
However, researchers emphasize that exercise isn’t a waste of time. Instead, the real issue here is staying sedentary for too long.
“These findings suggest that the risk related to sedentary behavior might be mediated, in part, through lower fitness levels,” say researchers.
Readers: How often do you stay active?
Sources:
Study: 6 Hours of Sedentary Behavior Can Undo 1 Hour of Exercise – ScienceDaily.com
Why Staying Sedentary is Worse Than Skipping Exercise – MayoClinicProceedings.org
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