New study suggests that standing desks do not compensate for being inactive. 

 

A University of Sydney study has found that over the long-term standing more compared with sitting does not improve cardiovascular health and could in fact “increase the risk of circulatory issues related to standing, such as varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis”.

 

The research – which did not specifically cover standing desks which have increased in popularity in recent years,  – also noted that standing more was not associated with heightened cardiovascular disease risk. 

 

The study, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, also found that sitting for over 10 hours a day increased both cardiovascular disease and orthostatic incidence risk, which it said reinforced “the need for greater physical activity throughout the day”.

 

“While the researchers found that there were no health benefits gained from standing more, they cautioned against sitting for extended periods, recommending that people who are regularly sedentary or find themselves standing for long periods schedule regular movement throughout the day,” University of Sydney said.

 

The key takeaway is that standing for too long will not offset an otherwise sedentary lifestyle and could be risky for some people in terms of circulatory health. 

 

Data was based on data from 83, 013 adults from the UK Biobank to assess daily time spent sitting and standing. 

 

PHOTO:ergodesks