The global market for standing desks is booming and is estimated to reach $12.6 billion by 2032 (€11.7 billion). These desks have been promoted as a practical solution to the health risks associated with sitting all day. However, recent research suggests that standing does not provide the health benefits that many expected.
A recent study, published in the ‘Journal of Epidemiology’ and conducted in Australia with more than 83,000 people, found that standing for long periods does not improve cardiovascular health and could even increase the risk of certain circulatory problems.
Researchers at the Charles Perkins Center at the University of Sydney found that prolonged standing did not reduce the risk of heart disease or stroke.
In fact, spending a lot of time sitting or standing was associated with a higher risk of problems such as varicose veins and dizziness when standing up. This study analyzed the dose-response associations between sitting and standing time with the incidence of major cardiovascular diseases (CVD), such as coronary heart disease, stroke and heart failure, as well as orthostatic circulatory diseases.
The phrase “sitting is the new smoking» became popular in the last decade to highlight the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle. Spending too much time sitting has been linked to obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In response, standing desks emerged as a popular solution, allowing for reduced sitting time without drastic changes to daily routines. But was there really a solid foundation to support the benefits of standing desks?
Much of the initial enthusiasm was based on limited studies that did not evaluate long-term consequences. In this new study, participants used devices to objectively monitor their standing and sitting activities over several years, providing more accurate data than that obtained from self-reported surveys. The researchers found that sitting for more than 10 hours a day was associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, but standing for longer periods did not mitigate this risk. In fact, standing for prolonged periods was associated with an increased risk of circulatory problems, as prolonged standing can lead to blood pooling in the legs and conditions such as varicose veins.
Observational study
The significant sample size and the use of objective data increase the reliability of these findings, although, as this is an observational study, a definitive cause-effect relationship cannot be established. Additionally, the average age of the participants was around 61 years, which may limit the applicability of the results to younger populations.
These results suggest that simply switching from sitting to standing is not an ideal solution. Our bodies respond better to regular movement than to remaining in a static position, whether sitting or standing. Incorporating short walks, stretching, or light exercise throughout the day can break up long periods of inactivity and provide significant health benefits.
Workplace interventions that encourage movement have demonstrated positive results.
The researchers found that workers office workers who reduced their sitting time by adding standing intervals and light activity improved blood sugar levels and other health indicators. Another study noted that alternating between sitting and standing, combined with short walks, was more beneficial than standing alone.
Adjustable desks, which allow both standing and sitting work and facilitate changes in posture, offer a promising solution. These desks promote frequent changes in posture and can reduce discomfort associated with prolonged static positions; Some models even include reminders to encourage regular movement, integrating the activity into the workday.
“Movement is key,” the researchers conclude. Standing all day is not necessarily better than sitting; both can have disadvantages if prolonged. By focusing on regular physical activity and varying our positions, we can better address the health problems posed by a sedentary lifestyle. Small changes, like taking short active breaks or stretching, can make a big difference in our health.
#Changing #working #sitting #position #standing #beneficial #health
