Researchers in Canada say that prolonged sedentary periods could have a damaging effect on your health regardless of regular exercising.
“Avoiding sedentary time and getting regular exercise are both important for improving your health and survival,” says Dr Alter, Senior Scientist, Toronto Rehab, University Health Network (UHN), and Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences.
“It is not good enough to exercise for 30 minutes a day and be sedentary for 23 and half hours.” He says.
“The findings suggest that the health risk of sitting too much is less pronounced when physical activity is increased,” says lead author Avi Biswas, a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto.
“We need further research to better understand how much physical activity is needed to offset the health risks associated with long sedentary time and optimize our health.” He says.
Dr Alter suggests that we reduce sedentary periods in a day, move around if possible and cut down still moments by two to three hours in a 12-hour day.
S.O.Z