Taking short walking breaks found to reverse negative effects of prolonged sitting

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-09/iu-tsw090514.php

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 8-Sep-2014

Contact: Saurabh Thosar
Indiana University
Taking short walking breaks found to reverse negative effects of prolonged sitting

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- An Indiana University study has found that three easy -- one could even say slow -- 5-minute walks can reverse harm caused to leg arteries during three hours of prolonged sitting.

Sitting for long periods of time, like many people do daily at their jobs, is associated with risk factors such as higher cholesterol levels and greater waist circumference that can lead to cardiovascular and metabolic disease. When people sit, slack muscles do not contract to effectively pump blood to the heart. Blood can pool in the legs and affect the endothelial function of arteries, or the ability of blood vessels to expand from increased blood flow.

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"American adults sit for approximately eight hours a day," he said. "The impairment in endothelial function is significant after just one hour of sitting. It is interesting to see that light physical activity can help in preventing this impairment."

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