I Can't Stand It!

In recent years, health reporters have taken to saying that “sitting is the new smoking,” based on research findings that indicate prolonged sitting on a frequent basis has many of the same negative health effects as smoking (cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes, etc.).

This, among other things, has prompted some individuals and employers to switch to standing work stations rather than having people work sitting.

But now a study from the University of Sydney, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology indicates that prolonged standing may be as harmful as sitting, at least when it comes to cardiovascular disease.

So, standing is the new sitting, which is the new smoking… that’s it – I’m just going to simplify things and start smoking!

Just kidding!

It should be noted that the study looked primarily at the relationship between prolonged standing and cardiovascular and circulatory conditions such as varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis. It found that for every thirty minutes past two hours of standing, the risk of circulatory problems increased by about 11%.

This really should not come as a surprise, at least to healthcare professionals. Contrary to popular belief, the heart does not perform all of the movement of blood through the circulatory system. The heart actually has little pumping effect on blood in the legs. Most movement of blood in the lower extremities occurs via contraction of the leg muscles that pushes blood through a system of one-way valves in the veins of the legs.

When you stand (or sit) still for prolonged time, there is little change in the contraction of the leg muscles, and not much movement of the blood occurs. So, standing in one spot for a long period of time results in stagnation of the blood flow in the legs, and that in turn leads to reduced oxygen to the tissues, and potential blood clot formation.

This is yet another example of the fact that our bodies need movement to be healthy.

This is not to say that compensations to avoid excess sitting, such as standing work stations, are bad. Prolonged sitting can cause musculoskeletal issues that standing does not, and generally people will move at least slightly more when standing than sitting. But ultimately, standing in one position for long periods of time is really not that good for you. So instead of switching from sitting to exclusively standing, it is probably better to have an adjustable-height workstation to allow you to switch positions throughout the day.

Another, perhaps better option, is to take periodic short breaks to get out of whatever static position you have adopted (be it standing or sitting) and move around. Even just 30 seconds to a minute of walking, doing callisthenics, stretching, etc., every 30 minutes or so, can be very beneficial and not only help you avoid major health issues such as cardiovascular problems, but also help you avoid musculoskeletal pain and stiffness.

This brings me to an older, but perhaps wiser way of looking at health than simply calling one risk factor the new existing risk factor that everyone is already aware of:

Move it or lose it!

Until next time…

George Best, D.C.