Standing desks can trigger the development of certain circulatory problems, new research has shown.
This finding comes as a surprise after experts have pledged that standing desks are good for your health and can combat health risks linked to prolonged sitting.
However, recent research conducted in Australia has highlighted that prolonged standing does not always improve heart health, and in some cases has the opposite effect.
During the study, the team of scientists looked at the health outcomes of more than 83,000 adults who either engaged with prolonged sitting or prolonged standing.
- Children who go to bed earlier have more gut bacteria linked to healthy cognitive function
- Unemployed could receive weight-loss jabs to return to work, says Health Secretary Wes Streeting
- Low carbohydrate diets promote heart health according to new study
They found that the participants who stood for prolonged periods of time were more at risk of developing varicose veins and feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
In addition, they discovered that prolonged standing did not reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Over the past 10 years, experts have claimed that ‘sitting is the new smoking’ due to the health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
Previous research has found that prolonged sitting can trigger the development of obesity, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
In recent years, standing desks have risen in popularity, with the global market for standing desks to reach £9.7 billion in the UK by 2032.
However, there has been no solid evidence that outlines the health benefits of having a standing desk.
As part of the new study, each participant tracked their physical activity, standing and sitting by wearing a device over several years.
- Weekend Workouts as Beneficial as Daily Exercise in Preventing Over 200 Diseases
- Atrial fibrillation triggered by work stress
- Why night shifts work can raise risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes
The findings have revealed that the participants who sit for more than 10 hours per day were more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke compared to those who sit for shorter periods of time.
According to the researchers, prolonged standing did not reduce these risks and instead makes you more likely to experience circulatory problems, such as blood to pool in the legs.
Standing is not a great solution for sitting as our bodies benefit more from regular movement rather than static positions.
Light exercises, short walks and stretching throughout the day is more beneficial to your health than prolonged standing, the academics have said.
Read the full study in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
