A sedentary lifestyle at work can have harmful consequences on health according to a recent study published by Public Health France.
- Sedentariness, distinct from the lack of physical activity, corresponds to the time spent sitting or lying down during the day, excluding sleep time.
- Frequent interruptions of time spent sitting have a beneficial effect on health.
- The implementation of interventions aimed at reducing and interrupting sedentary behavior in the context of office work is a public health necessity.
Sitting for long periods carries significant health risks: increased risk of death, cardiovascular disease, colon, lung and endometrial cancers, type 2 diabetes and increased anxiety, depression and musculoskeletal disorders. Difficult to compensate by the practice of physical activity, the fact of remaining inactive for long periods has repercussions even for sports people. Professionals working in an office are particularly affected by a high sedentary lifestyle.
” 75% of office working time is sedentary »
It has been demonstrated that frequent interruptions of time spent sitting have a beneficial effect on health, especially on cardiovascular health. Public Health France explains “ that a person who sits for 9 hours a day should do 1 hour and 25 minutes a day of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity to “eliminate” the risk of death from cardiovascular disease “. In this context, the installation of adapted furniture, such as sit-stand desks, is to be preferred. They can be an effective way to fight low back pain. Desks on a treadmill or with a system of pedals allow a better heart rate and greater energy expenditure.
Implement interventions against physical inactivity
Several intervention strategies to fight against physical inactivity can be implemented among office workers such as: awareness campaigns, training on the importance of physical activity as well as the creation of work environments favorable to mobility. These strategies can have a significant impact on reducing physical inactivity and improving employee health. according to Public Health France. ” These results, detailed in a report, aim to encourage employers and other professional decision-makers to promote and implement interventions against physical inactivity, by providing evidence from the scientific literature showing that they can reduce physical inactivity, improve the health and well-being of employees without reducing their productivity “.
