We are bombarded these days with information on how our sedentary lifestyles are bad for our health. We are told that we need to move regularly in order to break up the amount of time we spend sitting at our desk, in the car or on the couch. A recent study in American Journal of Preventative medicine has suggested that fidgeting could decrease the risk of mortality in those who sit all day. I am a fidgeter from way back so this comes as good news for me. Continue reading to see what they found.
In the study out of the UK, 12,778 women ages 37-78, answered a questionnaire about all aspects of health. These questions included physical activity levels and fidgeting. The women were followed up for mortality over an average of 12 years, and the relative risk of mortality was estimated in the high and medium sitting time groups.
What they found
The women who sat for long periods of time, but considered themselves “moderately or very fidgety,” had no increased risk or mortality as a result of the sitting. The risk did increase in the women who were “very occasional fidgeters.”
What to make of this
This is apparently the first time researchers have considered whether fidgeting might help to counter the effects of sitting for long periods. More research will need to be done to back this up, but I think it is another tick in the “we need to move more” column. It appears that any movement is better than no movement. Next time you are at your desk fidgeting away and someone tells you to stop, you can quite rightly tell them that you are simply moving to negate the negative effects of sitting for prolonged periods of time, and point them in the direction of this article. Even if you are a fidgeter, I would suggest getting up every half hour or so and have a decent stretch or a short walk, your body will thank you for it.
P.S. I am not sure if the meme above is accurate, but I liked the picture and it goes well with the post :)
References
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/299909.php
What they found
The women who sat for long periods of time, but considered themselves “moderately or very fidgety,” had no increased risk or mortality as a result of the sitting. The risk did increase in the women who were “very occasional fidgeters.”
What to make of this
This is apparently the first time researchers have considered whether fidgeting might help to counter the effects of sitting for long periods. More research will need to be done to back this up, but I think it is another tick in the “we need to move more” column. It appears that any movement is better than no movement. Next time you are at your desk fidgeting away and someone tells you to stop, you can quite rightly tell them that you are simply moving to negate the negative effects of sitting for prolonged periods of time, and point them in the direction of this article. Even if you are a fidgeter, I would suggest getting up every half hour or so and have a decent stretch or a short walk, your body will thank you for it.
P.S. I am not sure if the meme above is accurate, but I liked the picture and it goes well with the post :)
References
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/299909.php
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