Sedentary work hides a deadly danger: how to counteract it.

An international team of researchers has dedicated a comprehensive study to individuals who spend most of their lives sitting, uncovering the risks associated with this lifestyle.

Statistics show that people in developed countries spend an average of nine to ten hours a day in this position. They sit at computers, in traffic jams, in front of televisions, and more. Each year, humanity becomes increasingly sedentary.

This trend is causing significant concern among scientists. Prolonged sitting is linked to a range of health issues, including obesity, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. These problems can lead to premature death.

However, a new study reveals that just 22 minutes of daily physical activity can reduce the risk of early death associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

What Researchers Discovered

The team combined data from several studies conducted over different periods between 2003 and 2020 in Norway, Sweden, and the United States. In total, around 12,000 participants aged 50 and older were involved. Volunteers wore trackers to monitor their daily activity, according to Science Alert.

In their analysis, experts considered various lifestyle and health factors of the participants, such as education, alcohol consumption, and smoking. They also took into account participants’ previous histories of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes.

During the observation period, 805 participants passed away. Researchers found that premature death was particularly threatening to those who led a sedentary lifestyle for more than 12 hours a day. This risk was 38 percent higher than for those who spent eight hours a day sitting.

However, if volunteers engaged in moderate or vigorous physical activity for at least 22 minutes daily, the risk of premature death was significantly lower.

It’s worth noting that when researchers referred to physical activity, they meant a combination of various activities throughout the day. This includes exercises, climbing stairs, walking, gardening, cleaning, and more.

Conclusions and Future Plans

Experts confirmed that longer periods of activity correlate with a lower risk of premature death, regardless of overall sedentary time. For instance, the team reported that an additional ten minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day could reduce mortality risk by 15 percent for those who sit less than 10.5 hours a day. For those leading a highly sedentary lifestyle (10.5 hours a day or more), an extra ten minutes of exercise lowers mortality risk by 35 percent.

The study demonstrated that combining short bursts of activity throughout the day can significantly improve our health and increase longevity. Every minute of any activity matters, whether it’s a brisk walk during lunch, climbing stairs, or a quick workout at home.

Meanwhile, scientists noted that the study only included individuals aged 50 and older. Therefore, the team plans to conduct similar research for younger age groups in the future. Additionally, cultural differences and lifestyle variations across different countries may have influenced the analysis results.

Interestingly, one previous study found that physical activity and reducing daily sitting time positively impact cognitive health.