Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Study: Sitting Will Kill You Faster, Even If You Exercise
By
Michael Suen
Published Jul 15, 2010
Modified Jul 15, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Michael Suen
Published Jul 15, 2010
Modified Jul 15, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Most New Yorkers that spend their days slouched in office chairs, face smothered against a computer screen, are pretty aware that those activities are not exactly beneficial for their health. But, no worries, a schlep over to the gym sooner or later will offset our frail bodies from deteriorating, right? According to a report posted yesterday on the Well, those 30 minutes on the elliptical aren't doing that much!
Researchers from the University of South Carolina and the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge published a study in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, which analyzed data from a 1982 survey of affluent, educated men and 2003 mortality information to surmise that sitting for long periods of time was a "significant CVD (cardiovascular disease) mortality predictor." Specifically, those who spent more than 23 hours a week had a 64% greater likelihood of dying from heart disease than those who sat for 11 hours a week or less—and here's the frightening part—even if they regularly exercised and led otherwise active lifestyles.
Of course, the ubiquitous use of computers has escalated the problem since the 1980s and another study found adults perform "sedentary activities" for nine hours on average—and that doesn't include sleeping! The USC study's lead author suggests decreasing physical inactivity to combat the problem (duh!). Why not take the advice of trainer Melissa Delancey and walk to dinner, instead of sitting on the train? We're all pacing around the office as we write this. And placing orders for these under-the-desk cycles.
Tagged
exercise
Health Study
heart disease
sitting
University of South Carolina
Michael Suen
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
New York Public Radio CEO steps down after 8 months on job
Chief executive Christy Tanner is resigning after just eight months at the helm. New York Public Radio is the parent organization for WNYC and Gothamist.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Oct 13, 2026 at 9:03 a.m. ET
Early Addition: Can't stop the sticker bombers
Because the one influencer who tried removing them got dragged, here are your early links: Upper West Side woman adopts a lot of dogs, Big Apple Triathlon returned, "NCIS" lands in New York and more.
By
James Ramsay
News
Early Addition: Can't stop the sticker bombers
Because the one influencer who tried removing them got dragged, here are your early links: Upper West Side woman adopts a lot of dogs, Big Apple Triathlon returned, "NCIS" lands in New York and more.
By
James Ramsay
Cyclist dies in wrong-way crash with an ambulance on Staten Island
By
Brittany Kriegstein
With election 3 weeks away, Hochul and Blakeman to square off in lone NY governor debate
By
Jon Campbell
NYC's taxi union teams with Uber, hedge fund demand healthcare after 4 driver deaths
By
Stephen Nessen
and
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .