Many friends and clients have been asking recently about the deal with standing desks. Every couple of weeks more and more people are starting to stand around their offices creating towers around them are left to feel like the last ones still sitting.
Sitting has been declared the new smoking. The evidence is overwhelmingly demonstrating that sedentary behaviour is major risk factor in chronic health conditions. There is also a heightened awareness about sitting as a risk for workplace injuries leading more people to shun sitting for standing.
So what does the evidence say? And what can you do to promote health and avoid injury in the workplace?
Sitting or not moving during the day is the most major risk factor in chronic disease (heart disease diabetes cancer etc.) So if you are going to invest in one thing for your health and get the biggest bang for your buck it is exercise or movement.
So is sitting all bad?
No, in a recent study of British seated office workers as long as you exercise and walk 40 minutes each day you can offset the sedentary time at work. Time to get moving.
Workplace injuries can happen at a seated or standing desk. If you stay in one position long enough muscles tend to fatigue and switch off. An example of this is your gluts or buttock muscles fatiguing and becoming inactive.
This can increase the likelihood that you will injure your low back at work or doing your sport on the weekends.
So what can you do?
The evidence for best injury prevention in a workplace suggests regular breaks and exercises during the day is by far the best prevention. It gives your muscles a chance to relax, recover and reactivate.
So is standing better than sitting?
Standing desks are a good option because most of them will go from sit to standing allowing you to move about and change position during the day. Sitting or standing in one position can be hard on your body but being able to alternate is a great option.
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This post was written by Dr Janine Symington.
You can find out more about Janine here or book an appointment with her here.
Alternative, you can call the clinic to book an appointment 03 9908 2844.
