According to ANSES, only 5% of French adults between 18 and 64 have enough physical activity. Coupled with a sedentary lifestyle, this physical inactivity can cause great damage and many health problems, especially cardiovascular ones.
A new study American study conducted by researchers from the University of San Diego and published on June 3 in the journal neurology confirmed the link, which was already not unknown: being sedentary and inactive significantly increases the risk of stroke. And conversely, the more intense the physical activity, the lower the risk.
Between May 2009 and January 2013, the researchers analyzed data from 7,607 adults, with an average age of 63 and no history of vascular disease. Accelerometers, which were placed at their hips, tracked their movement frequency and intensity for a week. Their sedentary time was also measured, as well as their light and more intense physical activity.
A 44% higher risk of stroke
Participants had to wear these accelerometers for at least 16 hours a day. And after seven years, the results are unequivocal: people who spent more than 13 to 16 hours being sedentary had a 44% higher risk of stroke compared to those who spent less than 11.8 hours sitting. And each additional hour spent per day sitting increased the risk of stroke by 14%. In France, according to ANSES, 37% of adults spend more than 8 hours a day in a seated position, considerably increasing the risk of death from cardiovascular origin.
And the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle are multiplied if physical activity is also insufficient. Thus, inactive and sedentary adults”are more at risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers. They are also more at risk of hypertension or obesitynoted in February Professor Irène Margaritis, Head of the Nutrition Risk Assessment Unit at ANSES. In general, the risks associated with inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle are increased when they are combined.”
And the study confirms the benefits of physical activity on cardiovascular health. Indeed, short periods of regular physical activity were considered beneficial. “Physical activity also helps reduce high blood pressure, improve glucose metabolism, fight against overweight, reduce levels of inflammation“, specifies Igor Sibon, president of the French Society neuro-vascular in World.
According to the HAS, 150,000 are affected by a stroke every year in Franceor one person every 4 minutes.
Source :
- Association of accelerometer-measured sedentary time and physical activity with risks of stroke among US adults, neurologyJune 3, 2022
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