Study Highlights Risks of Prolonged Sitting, Even for Regular Exercisers
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
New research underscores the serious cardiovascular risks associated with prolonged sedentary behavior, even for individuals who regularly engage in physical exercise. Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the study tracked nearly 90,000 participants using wrist-worn accelerometers over a seven-day period. The findings revealed that sitting for more than 10.6 hours daily significantly increases the risk of heart failure, heart attacks, and cardiovascular mortality.
Participants, with an average age of 62 and 56% identifying as women, were sedentary for an average of 9.4 hours per day—just below the concerning threshold. After nearly eight years of follow-up, researchers reported over 3,600 cases of atrial fibrillation, 1,850 instances of heart failure, and 1,600 myocardial infarctions, with almost 900 participants succumbing to cardiovascular disease during the study period. The data indicated that the risk of heart failure rose by 45%, and the risk of cardiovascular-related death surged by 62% once daily sitting time exceeded 10.6 hours.
The study also highlighted a critical gap in physical activity guidelines. While current recommendations suggest at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity weekly to lower heart disease risks, these guidelines do not adequately address sedentary behavior. Though physical activity reduces risks associated with atrial fibrillation and heart attacks, the study found that prolonged sitting still elevated the likelihood of heart failure and cardiovascular mortality, even among active individuals.
For fitness professionals, these findings emphasize the dual importance of promoting regular physical activity and reducing sedentary time. While exercise remains a cornerstone of cardiovascular health, integrating strategies to encourage less sitting—such as active breaks, standing desk options, and movement-based programming—could enhance the effectiveness of fitness initiatives. This holistic approach can help mitigate health risks, improve overall wellness, and better serve the growing need for behavioral changes in how people approach daily activity.
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