Get Moving

For better health: Get up, stand up, move around

Researchers are studying the negative effects of sitting for extended time periods, both at the office and by the TV.

Dr. Allan Hedge, a professor at Cornell University, says for every half-hour working in an office, people should sit for 20 minutes, stand for eight minutes and then move around and stretch for two minutes.

Health experts, including Dr. Hedge, have guidelines that say people should get a combined two to four hours of standing and light activity spread throughout the workday. And research from NASA, reported in The Wall Street Journal,  shows that standing up to two minutes 16 times a day while at work is an effective strategy for maintaining bone and muscle density.

Scientific evidence shows that when people have occupations in which they are on their feet for more than two hours a day, there is a reduction in the risk of developing key chronic diseases, says John Buckley, a professor of applied exercise science at the University of Chester in England, and lead author of the guidelines.

Some ergonomics experts warn that too much standing can create greater risk for varicose veins, foot problems and artery disease. Dr. Hedge says, “The key is breaking up your activity throughout the day. Sitting and standing all day are both bad for you.”