New study reveals how much sitting is too much

A new study published in the National Library of Medicine has revealed the risks of prolonged periods of sitting as well as standing⁽¹⁾. While the phrase ‘sitting is the new smoking’ has been trending for the past few years, it’s important to note that prolonged episodes of standing are also dangerous.

The key to good health is balance, varied activities, and switching up your posture. As experts in ergonomic furniture, we’ll reveal how our office chairs are designed to improve your health during the hours that you need to sit.

Key findings on sitting and standing time

The study, led by researchers at the University of Sydney and Amsterdam University Medical Center, used movement data from over 83,000 adults and found:

Sitting for more than 10 hours per day increased the risk of heart disease and circulation issues.

Standing for more than 2 hours per day raised the risk of circulation issues like varicose veins, but it wasn’t linked to heart disease.

Being stationary for over 12 hours daily (sitting and standing combined) also raised these health risks, especially due to prolonged sitting.

In summary, simply increasing standing time alone may not lower the risk of heart disease, but it could increase circulation problems. On the other hand, sitting too long is linked to higher risks for both heart and circulation issues.

What this means for office workers is that a standing desk may not solve all your health issues or dispel health concerns. Instead, regular movement and avoiding static positions are best. Switch between sitting and standing, but also incorporate stretching, exercising, and walks into your day to interrupt periods of stationary behaviour.

Why your office chair choice matters

Your choice of office chair matters now more than ever. With concrete evidence that remaining stationary for long periods is unhealthy, choosing an office chair that supports health is essential. A well-designed office chair, like the Ergohuman Elite, can reduce the health risks of prolonged sitting through its science-backed features.

Our Elite office chairs support natural posture to prevent slouching and improve circulation. When properly calibrated, the adjustable backrest and built-in lumbar support encourage healthy posture and reduce back pain, making it easy to remain in a neutral, upright position all day. This is also known as the neutral lordotic lumbar position.

Our chairs also feature a forward synchro seat tilt that allows you to align the seat tilt with the back of your chair while in free-float recline mode. This reduces pressure on the lower back and abdominal area. You can customise the chair to your needs, promoting a healthier posture and improving blood flow to the legs, back, and feet.

Our ergonomic mesh office chairs also encourage active sitting. The seat tilt feature and the free-float recline mode contribute to this. When your chair is in recline mode, you can easily lean back and forward as needed. Even this slight movement means that you aren’t completely stationary while at your desk.

The elastomeric mesh with ten autoflex zones also ensures healthy sitting as it responds to your micro-movements. If you are reaching for something nearby or turning around to chat with a colleague, the Elite office chair’s mesh will continue to support your body as you manoeuvre.

Our chairs also encourage healthy blood flow. The design of the chair and the release zones on the mesh encourage good blood circulation and reduce numbness and tingling, especially in the thigh and leg areas.

How to structure your workday for optimal health

Although our mesh office chairs are designed for healthy seating, it’s crucial to remain active throughout your working day.

Use a timer to break up sitting and standing intervals, aiming for 10-minute breaks every hour. If you use an Apple Watch, for example, it will notify you to stand in the last 10 minutes of every hour. This is a perfect time to walk around the office, fill your water bottle, or switch to standing mode at your desk.

On the topic of standing desks, even though they won’t cancel out your periods of sitting if you are to remain stationary, they are still a wise investment. Alternating between sitting and standing throughout the day is still a wise decision for your health. Incorporating an under-desk treadmill or moving a bit while standing is most beneficial as it prevents further stationary positioning.

Just be sure to take breaks from standing, too, as too much standing can lead to circulation issues and muscle fatigue.

As well as small, active changes throughout your working day, make sure you are leading a healthy lifestyle in general. Go on a walk during your lunch break, hit the gym after work, and remain active on the weekends.

Choose the right chair for healthy seating

Comfort’s range of comfortable office chairs, including the Ergohuman, Enjoy, and Mirus Elite, is designed to reduce the risks of prolonged sitting. Their ergonomic design, customisable support, and elastomeric mesh are excellent for those who spend hours at a desk each day.

Remember to break up periods of sitting with small bouts of movement. Even moving for 20 seconds here and there is useful.

If you are considering Ergohuman chairs for your project and have further questions about our office chairs and their features, explore our website or contact us for assistance.