Linak, the world’s leading manufacturer of linear actuators for sit-stand desks, continues its awareness campaign against sedentariness. After the funny videos we have already published in this article, now focus on a social campaign and a brochure that offers tips to improve movement and well-being in the office with scientific evidences on the benefits and demonstrating the health risks due to a static lifestyle.
Do you think that the daily gym time is enough to balance the eight hours spent at the computer? Unfortunately the answer is no.
Although beneficial, regular physical activity is not enough to compensate for a sedentary lifestyle; the ideal would be to alternate sitting and standing activities: about 2 hours standing per day, divided into 15 minutes per hour.
This is one of the suggestions collected in the “MOVE” brochure by Linak that summarizes the dangers of an inactive life by comparing the effects of physical inactivity and movement on the physical.
You ca download here the brochure.
For example, when we are sitting:
the risk of cardiovascular disease increases by 40% over time and the enzymes that favor the elimination of fats are reduced by 90%.
Sitting for a long time causes permanent compression of the spinal discs. Increases the incidence of back problems, increased tension in the neck and shoulder muscles and increased discomfort in the lower limbs.
Reduced stimuli in the circulatory system caused by a sedentary lifestyle cause a slowing down of cardiac activity, accentuating fatigue and tiredness.
A study of around 73,000 women showed that the risk of death from heart attack is three times higher among those who stay longer than those who have a more active lifestyle.
Furthermore, sitting for over 6 hours eliminates the effect of 60 minutes of physical activity.
Instead when we stand and stay in motion:
the risk of cancer is reduced by 25%; you burn up to 50% more calories per hour than when you sit; muscle activity is 2.5 times higher.
In an upright position the natural curvature of the spine allows the body to balance and distribute its weight well.
It is therefore not excessive to say that we were born to move and movement is life!
But, although we are aware that our typical day is inactive at 60/70% (we eat sited, drive seated, relax sitting in front of the TV …) what should we do?
Linak teaches us that we can start from the simplest things … as long as we start today!
And standing up all day is not healthy, the secret is to alternate between standing and sitting.
We have dedicated several articles to the advantages of the sit-stand desk and we will never tire of repeating that this is not fashion but a real form of prevention confirmed by scientific research.
The height-adjustable desk is a real “medicine” because when we move from a sitting posture to a standing posture the weight is better distributed, allowing rest to specific parts of the body. Standing helps to “activate” the enzymes responsible for good health, increases blood pressure to relieve tired muscles and allows the body to reach its balance.
The simple act of moving from sitting to standing is a great thing for our body, since it is forced to work against the force of gravity while keeping the skeleton strong and flexible.
Getting up while working is a habit that our body has to get used to.
Starting with 5 minutes at a time. We must therefore try as much as possible to change the posture and make it become a daily habit.
Why is the sit-stand desk a win-win solution?
The use of a height-adjustable desk is the best system, if not the only one, to defeat a sedentary lifestyle, avoid musculoskeletal disorders and other diseases related to sitting too long.
People with a height-adjustable desk claim to be more careful, positive and focused. Studies show a direct link between healthy employees and better performance.
The meetings are shorter and more efficient.
More energy, especially in the afternoon.
Employees using a height-adjustable desk are more concentrated by 71%, more productive by 66% and 33% less stressed.
The use of adjustable height desks generates a 10/20% improvement in productivity, but above all quality, efficiency and a greater sense of collaboration.
It has been shown that by applying physical activity programs within work environments, sick days are reduced by about 32%.
This is why today we talk about dynamic ergonomics as a new standard to be adopted in the workplace, an approach that can be facilitated by IoT integration, for example Linak has developed a software and an app that interact with the electrified sit-stand desk to make it easier and intuitive its use.