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Sitting Down Too Long Is Bad Even If You Exercise

Posted by kdawson on from the get-a-move-on dept.

Ant tips the week-old news that sitting down too much is not good for you, even if you are otherwise fit. A blog at the LA Times reports a followup from Swedish exercise experts: they propose "establishing a new way of thinking about sedentary behavior. They suggest abolishing 'sedentary behavior' as a synonym for not exercising. Instead, sedentary time should be defined as 'muscular inactivity' to distinguish it from not doing any exercise at all." These experts warn that the excessively sedentary are running serious health risks, irrespective of how much exercise they get when they're not plonked behind a desk or lying on a sofa.

10 of 376 comments (clear)

  1. My excuse by hedgemage · · Score: 4, Funny

    I can't remember things when I'm standing. I think its because I keep all my thoughts in my lap and when I stand up, they fall on the floor and roll under the desk.

    1. Re:My excuse by greyline · · Score: 3, Funny

      Occasionally, I will shuffle my way over to my pantry from my computer to procure another bag of Cheetos and perhaps a Mnt Dew Code Red. Every now and then, I'll also have to empty the used bottles of Mnt Dew of urine too. My standing up and moving around requirements are thus securely met.

    2. Re:My excuse by tehcyder · · Score: 3, Funny

      I really need a companion if I'm to do it again, it got a bit dull going alone.

      a/s/l?

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
  2. I'll stay in my sofa by Permutation+Citizen · · Score: 5, Funny

    They can run any study they want, people get badly injured doing sports, not sitting on a sofa.

  3. Re:Misinformation && Contradictions by BenevolentP · · Score: 3, Funny

    It IS news since the genereal (and imo true) belief is that you can make up for hours behind your desk by exercising when you're not. From the article: "Avoid sitting for prolonged periods and keep in mind to move more, more often." I think Ill increase my smoke break frequency from now on.

  4. What about smokers ? by f0rk · · Score: 4, Funny

    I go and take a smoke every 1-2h, and walk up and down 3 stories of stairs every time. Am i in risk ?
    I KNEW there were good sides of smoking !!

  5. Re:Medical Advice from the Economic Times? by Xest · · Score: 5, Funny

    That's quite impressive, it means that theoretically I should die before I finish typing out this respon

  6. Re:Insurance? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    The intense nightmares are what makes quitting smoking worthwhile. I don't crave cigarettes anymore, but damn do I miss my own personal holodeck.

  7. Obligatory xkcd reference by jonaskoelker · · Score: 3, Funny

    You forgot this one: http://xkcd.com/189/

    I'm currently working on my STR score (push-ups, sit-ups, biceps curl, etc.) and my base attack bonus (fencing). I might also get Proficiency: Martial Weapon (Foil).

    All that exercise spills over into my INT score as well ;)

  8. Re:Synonyms by PopeRatzo · · Score: 3, Funny

    I go to "working man's" bars where construstion workers hang out.

    I may have just learned more than I want to about you. Don't worry, I won't tell your wife and kids.

    Say, are there cops and indians at this bar, too? And bears?

    Keep hanging around there. You'll get more "exercise" than you need.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.