A recent study conducted by researchers from Swinburne University of Technology in Australia showed that breaking up sitting periods with movement helps maintain muscle activity and may be linked to better health indicators, while remaining still for long periods leads to reduced muscle activity.
Research Methodology
Euro News reported on Wednesday, citing a study published in the journal "npj Exercise Medicine and Health," that researchers used special sensors to monitor muscle activity during participants' daily activities, recording more than 7,000 sitting periods to study the effect of movement and stillness on muscle function.
Scientific Findings
The results showed that muscle activity declines during continuous sitting periods, while simple and repetitive movements help activate muscles, even during subsequent sitting periods. Researchers noted that increased movement during sitting is associated with lower body mass index and waist circumference, along with indicators linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Practical Recommendations
The lead researcher of the study, Dr. Christian Prudden, explained that breaking up sitting periods with walking or short physical activity can limit muscle inactivity, noting that a person who sits for ten hours a day can increase their muscle activity duration by about an hour and a half if they ensure to break up sitting periods with movement every 25 minutes. Introducing movement into the daily routine does not require major changes, as it can be achieved by regularly standing up to drink water or refill a cup, or walking for short periods instead of staying in the same position for a long time.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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