How can sitting down kill you

They were asked: "During the past year, on an average day not counting time spent at your job , how many hours per day did you spend sitting watching television, reading, etc. Other studies have shown that Americans spend an average of six to eight hours sitting in their free time. This survey supports that, said Dr.

Neha Pagidipati, a cardiologist at Duke University who was not involved in the study. Federal guidelines say Americans should do 2. But other studies have shown even a little exercise is better than none. There are several possible explanations for how sitting can be linked with shorter lives. As your glutes weaken, especially when combined with shortened hip flexors from sitting too much, your pelvis will start to tilt forward. The graphic to the right shows the 3 major muscles groups in the hip flexors: psoas major, iliacus, and the rectus femoris.

You can see how the psoas attaches to the lumbar spine, and any shortening of this muscle will pull your lumbar spine forward and out of alignment. This can result in lordosis of the spine, an exaggerated inward curvature of the spine. Hip Imbalance from Crossing Legs Frequently people who cross their legs can end up with hip imbalances. This can affect the stability of your lower body, and decrease your athletic ability and performance.

This can impact more than your ability to exercise. Your shoulders tend to round forward while your head leans in toward your computer screen, and your abs can no longer be used to support your body. This can lead to a repetitive strain injury to the neck and upper back called Postural Syndrome. You can read more about this in our article about proper posture. There are many things you can and should do to avoid the problems with sitting too much. So, the number one key is to find ways to move instead of sitting still all the time.

If your job or lifestyle has you sitting a lot, you may need a chiropractic more than you know. The human body was designed to move, not sit. Here are some problem areas a chiropractor can help anyone who has a sedentary lifestyle. The most important way we can help you is to encourage you to live a healthier lifestyle and find ways to add more movement to your life.

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They may not be reused without permission. You are welcome to link to this article. The contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. An increasing body of research suggests that this sedentary time can be harmful in many ways[ 2 ].

People who sit more are more likely to die early and to develop conditions such as breast, colon, or endometrial cancers, heart disease, or depression. Perhaps most concerning if you have prediabetes is the link between sedentary time and diabetes risk.

That is nearly double. That is great — keep it up! That regular exercise habit, whether in or out of the gym, has a wealth of benefits. That is why Lark DPP encourages you to get at least minutes per week of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity. That amount of exercise helps with weight control and blood sugar regulation, and is linked to better mood and reduced risk of hypertension and other chronic conditions.

Not only that, but people who exercise regularly are less harmed by their sedentary time. That said, going to the gym does not make up for too much sedentary time. Exercise is healthy, but being a good exerciser does not mean that you can get away with unlimited sedentary time.

For best results, keep up the gym and break up your sitting time. Set a timer. While engrossed in work, time can pass quickly. Instead of watching the clock and spending precious brainpower on remembering, setting a timer can ensure that you move regularly enough to lower disease risk.

Set the timer to ring once per half-hour, and stretch for 1 to 2 minutes each time it goes off. Talk to coworkers in person. Instead of chatting, phoning, or emailing coworkers who are in your office, walk over to them to talk in person.

Standing up and walking, regardless of how close they are, breaks up sitting time.