Sitting Can Kill: Why You Need To Exercise For At Least One Hour A Day

We spend most of our lives sitting---whether it be in a classroom, listening to the History teacher or in front of the computer, finishing a report for the strict boss. Research has said, time and again, that sedentary behavior is bad for the health and that we should live active lives as much as we can. How much exercise do we need then to make up for eight hours of sitting everyday?

A new research from the Norwegian School of Sports Science and University of Cambridge has some good news for the lazy bodies out there. You only need one hour of moderate activity in a day to extend your life.

According to The Guardian, the research team found that the risk of death for people who sat eight hours a day and had low activity is 9.9 percent while for people who sat for less than four hours a day and were active for an hour is at 6.8 percent risk of dying.

Nonetheless, they also discovered that people who sat eight hours a day and had an hour of activity have lower risk of death. The good news is a total of an hour-long brisk walk session scattered throughout the day is enough to combat the death risks of sitting for eight hours.

The study made use of 16 previous researches that were participated in by people ages 45 and above from the U.S., Europe and Australia. Some of the activities suggested by the study's author are walking 5.6 km/h and/or cycling 16 km/h.

Nonetheless, they also discovered that people who sat eight hours a day and had an hour of activity have lower risk of death. The good news is a total of an hour-long brisk walk session scattered throughout the day is enough to combat the death risks of sitting for eight hours.

As per  Mayo Clinic, sitting too much leads to these following conditions: obesity and metabolic syndrome , obesity syndrome, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, abnormal cholesterol levels and increased risk of death for diabetes and heart disease. The person should find any activity that will allow him/her to move, for instance, as simple as reaching out for a mobile phone to a friend requesting for it.

According to Fitness Magazine, there are five simple ways to stop sitting all day. Use an adjustable desk so you'll be forced to stand or sit when someone asks you for a bottle of water, do some errands while you're using your phone, etc. It adds that standing all day is also bad so give yourself time to rest and sit while your treat your feet to the spa.

Know more about how sitting can be deadly by watching the video below. Sound off your thoughts on the Comments section and follow Parent Herald for more news and updates.