By studying populations with a traditional lifestyle, American researchers have found that they do not have certain genetic markers linked to heart and metabolic diseases. This would be related to the fact that they squat and kneel more than they sit.
- Traditional populations who squat or kneel rather than sit have lower cardiovascular risks
- These postures maintain better muscle activity
- Europeans and Americans spend 9 hours sitting a day
And if the reduction of our sedentary lifestyle went through the way we sit? Researchers at the University of Southern California found that a Tanzanian population suffered from less heart and metabolic disease compared to populations in industrialized countries. It would be related to the fact that they do not sit on chairs, but squat or kneel.
Physical inactivity: a scourge for health
For several years, a sedentary lifestyle has been known to be harmful to health. The longer you sit, the greater the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. In the review PNAS, the team of American researchers explains how they proceeded to carry out their study. Scientists have wondered about the evolution of Man: their hypothesis is that if a sedentary lifestyle is harmful, our metabolism should not have been designed to remain seated for so long.
Maintain muscle activity
They studied the Hadza population, hunter-gatherers from Tanzania by measuring their muscle activity and their period of activity and inactivity. They generally do one hour of physical activity each day, but are almost as inactive as people in industrialized countries: between 9 and 10 hours a day. However, the analysis of their state of health shows that they do not have the bio-markers of the chronic diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle. “Even if there are long periods of inactivity, specifies the principal author of the study, David Raichlen, the main difference that we noticed is the fact that the Hadza often rest in positions which force the muscles maintain a high level of activity.” They kneel or squat. This significant muscular activity throughout the day would explain the low rate of disease in this population.
Europeans and Americans spend nine hours sitting a day
“To do your rag on the sofa, and even to sit in your office chair, requires less muscular activity than squatting or kneeling, adds the professor. Since muscular activity requires energy, which usually means burning fat, squatting or kneeling doesn’t have to be as dangerous as sitting in a chair.” On average, Europeans and Americans spend 9 hours sitting a day. “Squatting is not the easiest solution, points out Professor Raichen, but spending more time in postures that require a minimum of muscular activity could be good for our health.”
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