A new study published in the National Library of Medicine found that standing for too long might not produce the health benefits once expected.
The study found no health benefits from standing for prolonged periods and concluded that it may actually worsen the risk of certain circulatory problems.
Researchers looked at data from more than 83,000 participants to determine their findings. Extended periods of standing did not show signs of reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Instead, too much time spent standing was correlated with a higher risk of health problems, like developing varicose veins.
Standing desks have become increasingly popular in recent years, with the global market expected to hit $12.6 billion by 2032. Their popularity has been spurred in part by their association with better health, such as improved weight management.
Prolonged sitting has received such a bad rap that it even prompted the popular phrase “sitting is the new smoking.”
The study had participants track their sitting, standing, and physical activity over several years.
Individuals found to sit more than 10 hours a day were associated with a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. However, those that stood did not show a lower risk of the conditions. Also, those who stood for extended periods showed higher risks of circulatory issues.
The experts say that regular movement is linked to better health outcomes. Breaking up sitting with bouts of light physical activity can materially improve health markets, such as blood sugar levels.
In another study, researchers found that alternating between sitting and standing and short walks provided better health improvements than standing alone. A study published in 2022 found that just 15 minutes of weekly physical activity correlated with a longer life span.
