Sitting and Mortality

There's been a lot going around lately about a sedentary lifestyle being associated with a higher risk of
mortality, metabolic syndrome, etc. Something that's been up for debate is if exercise can counteract the effects of sitting for nine hours per day. We do know that occasional intense exercise, such as weekend warriors, increases the oxidative load, negating the benefits of the exercise, but what about regular, moderate exercise?

A review on the effects of physical activity on those who are generally sedentary, decreasing the risk of death, cardiovascular disease, and cancers. Mortality rates were higher in those who sat the majority of their day AND had low levels of physical activity. In those who participated in regular physical activity, sitting time did not have an effect on their mortality. Interestingly, watching TV for more than three to five hours per day actually increased mortality, even if the subject exercised regularly.

So, get up and move! Take a walk from your desk each hour to grab some water. Do jumping jacks on commercial breaks. Park further from the office and take the stairs. More than anything, though, don't forget your regular, moderate exercise!


Ekelund, U., Steene-Johannessen, J., Brown, W., Fagerland, M., Owen, N., & Powell, K. et al. (2016). Does physical activity attenuate, or even eliminate, the detrimental association of sitting time with mortality? A harmonised meta-analysis of data from more than 1 million men and women. The Lancet. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(16)30370-1