The Effects of Sitting
Especially for people who do desk work, the harms of prolonged sitting are often discussed. The underlying idea is to raise awareness of the harmful effects of sitting and how to prevent them.
1. The Harms of Sitting are Real
In sitting, as in all things, too much is too much. The core of the problem is especially prolonged sitting, which often happens during the workday. Overall, an adult sits, lies, or stands still for over three-quarters of their waking hours.
Prolonged sitting strains our bodies in many different ways:
- Neck and shoulder muscles tense and become stiff
- Intervertebral discs, especially in the lower back, are strained
- Knees may become stressed
- Sciatica pain may develop