New Research Questions Benefits of Standing in the Fight Against Sedentary Lifestyles
In recent years, standing has been touted as a remedy to a sedentary lifestyle, especially for desk workers who spend long hours seated at their screens. However, a new study conducted by researchers in Australia and the Netherlands suggests that standing for prolonged periods may not be significantly better than sitting and could pose its own life-threatening risks.
The study analyzed data over nearly seven years from 83,013 adults, collected as part of the UK Biobank. Researchers tracked physical activity, sleep, and sedentary time using wrist-worn devices. The amount of time individuals spent standing and sitting was correlated with incidents of cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease, heart failure, and stroke, as well as circulatory diseases like low blood pressure upon standing, varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, and venous ulcers.
The results indicated no significant association between the time spent standing and the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This suggests that standing desks and similar work arrangements might not be sufficient to mitigate the health risks associated with prolonged sitting.
Matthew Ahmadi, a population health scientist at the University of Sydney, notes that previous studies supporting the benefits of standing often relied on ‘soft endpoints’ such as improved blood pressure or insulin sensitivity. In contrast, this research focused on ‘hard clinical endpoints’—hospitalizations or deaths related to cardiovascular diseases—showing that long periods of standing versus sitting did not significantly impact cardiovascular outcomes.
“More time spent sitting didn’t necessarily lower a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease, nor did it increase the risk,” Ahmadi explains. “It was a null finding. However, it did increase their risk of circulatory diseases.”
The study found that standing for more than two hours a day raised the risk of circulatory diseases by 11 percent for each additional half hour. Conversely, sitting for more than 10 hours daily increased circulatory disease risk by 26 percent for every extra hour spent seated.
This data suggests that a lack of movement—whether sitting or standing—could contribute to the risk of orthostatic circulatory diseases.
While the sample size of this study is notable, it is essential to recognize that, being observational, it cannot definitively prove causation between time spent standing or sitting and disease incidence. Nonetheless, it reinforces the growing body of research underlining the importance of regular physical movement.
Ahmadi emphasizes that standing alone should not be viewed as a panacea for the ailments associated with sedentary lifestyles. “Standing needs to be mixed in with other forms of activity that gets the body moving,” he asserts.
He adds, “We’re not seeing the risk of orthostatic diseases when someone is walking around. The risk appears mainly when one remains stationary while standing, leading to blood pooling in the lower extremities.”
This research has been published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Matthew Ahmadi
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Matthew Ahmadi! Thank you for joining us today. Your recent research has stirred quite a conversation around the benefits of standing in combating sedentary lifestyles. Can you summarize the key findings of your study for our audience?
Matthew Ahmadi: Absolutely! Our study, which analyzed data from over 83,000 adults over nearly seven years, found that prolonged standing may not be significantly better than sitting when it comes to health outcomes, particularly cardiovascular diseases. Despite the popular belief that standing more can counteract the hazards of sedentary behavior, our findings suggest this might not be the case.
Time.news Editor: That’s fascinating. Standing desks have gained immense popularity as a remedy for those spending long hours sitting. What implications does your study have for those who have adopted these standing workspaces?
Matthew Ahmadi: The implications are quite significant. While standing desks might give the impression of a healthier lifestyle, our research suggests they are not a panacea. Just switching from sitting to standing isn’t enough to mitigate the risks of cardiovascular diseases. It indicates that we need to think more holistically about our physical activity and overall lifestyle, rather than focusing solely on the proportions of time spent sitting or standing.
Time.news Editor: That’s an important perspective. You mentioned in your study that previous research often relied on “soft endpoints.” Can you explain that distinction and why it matters?
Matthew Ahmadi: Sure! “Soft endpoints” refer to measures like improved blood pressure or insulin sensitivity, which are important but not directly related to severe health outcomes. In contrast, we focused on “hard clinical endpoints,” such as hospitalizations and mortality related to cardiovascular diseases. By examining these, we aimed to deliver more concrete evidence regarding health risks associated with different postures and activities, which ultimately provides clearer guidance for long-term health strategies.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like your research challenges some long-held beliefs about standing as a solution to sedentary behavior. Based on your findings, what do you recommend instead for improving health in today’s workspace environment?
Matthew Ahmadi: My recommendation would be to incorporate a variety of movements throughout the day. Instead of just standing more, aim for short walks, stretching exercises, or even standing up every half hour to move a bit. It’s about increasing overall physical activity and reducing prolonged periods of both sitting and standing still. Incorporating movement into our daily routines can better support cardiovascular health and overall well-being.
Time.news Editor: Great advice! Lastly, given the attention on wellness in workspaces today, how do you see the future of workplace design evolving in light of your research?
Matthew Ahmadi: I think we will see a shift toward more dynamic and flexible workspaces that encourage movement. Companies may begin to invest in designs that facilitate natural movement, like walking meetings, shared spaces that require physical navigation, or even standing meetings, but crucially, they will need to focus on creating an environment that supports extensive physical activity throughout the day. Employee well-being should be at the forefront of these designs, optimizing not just for performance but for holistic health.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Matthew. Your insights are invaluable, and it’s clear that there is much more to consider than just sitting or standing. We appreciate you taking the time to share your findings with us!
Matthew Ahmadi: Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure, and I hope our conversation encourages a more nuanced dialogue around health and workplace design.