Hi, I’m Kris Stokes with Custom Fitness Personal Training Studio in Amarillo, TX. Today we’re talking about prolonged sitting. Everyone sits at some point, especially these days… but the average person sits more than eight hours daily! We’ve gotten so used to sitting that we don’t even notice how long we’ve been there for. Whether it’s for work, fun or traveling, we’re all sitting way more than we should.
According to the Mayo Clinic website, researchers have linked prolonged sitting to a number of health concerns which include, but are not limited to: Obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat, and abnormal cholesterol levels. Sitting for prolonged periods is also linked to an increased risk of death from cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Wow!
It really doesn’t matter why we’re sitting, the truth is that too much can be harmful.
Thirteen studies were reportedly analyzed on sitting and activity levels and the results showed sitting for more than eight hours daily without physical activity increased the risk of dying much like the risk posed by smoking and obesity.
The data from these studies also found 60 to 75 minutes of moderately intense physical activity daily countered the effects of prolonged sitting. Other studies showed that sitting time contributed little to those who were most active. While more research is necessary, sitting less and moving more contributed more favorably to better health.
Outside of the health ramifications, there are other issues as well. Sitting for prolonged amounts of time also leads to lower back pain, tightened hip flexor and hamstring muscles, and stiff joints. Sitting for prolonged periods and having tightened and stiff areas means activities like walking, balancing and doing your daily house chores can become more difficult.
Then there’s the issue of poor posture that can cause things like neck, shoulder, and back pain, just to name a few.
What’s the best way to combat this?
Start moving more often :o)
Start by taking a break to move and stretch about every 30 minutes. Then be sure to add in some exercise to strengthen those muscles back up and keep them working properly. (That will help to keep unnecessary pains at bay).
Are you having pain trouble balancing or weakened muscles associated with prolonged sitting? We would love to help you find the right solution for your needs. Call us at 806-322-3188. Remember that we focus on exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle. We put all of it together so this can become a lifelong change for you instead of something to just bounce to and get setback from. I hope you have a great day.