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Study: Sitting Will Kill You Faster, Even If You Exercise
By
Michael Suen
Published Jul 15, 2010
Modified Jul 15, 2010
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By
Michael Suen
Published Jul 15, 2010
Modified Jul 15, 2010
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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
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