Hidden health risks of prolonged sitting

Sitting can be a nice break from a busy day. However, considering that many of us spend their entire workday at a desk, one has to wonder how prolonged sitting can affect your body and your health. This video examines the science behind sitting down, from the number of hours recommended for sitting to different improper body postures involved. It also looks at the effect of sitting on your spinal cord, lungs, brain and physiology. Finally, the video presents safe preventative methods and techniques that anyone should use if they are sitting for extended periods.

This video was made by Demystifying Medicine students Abdullah Shahzad, Dalia Nasser, Oana Danielle and Yousif Eliya.

Copyright McMaster University 2018

References:

Brigid M. Lynch. (2010). Sedentary behavior and cancer: a systematic review of the literature and proposed biological mechanisms. American Association of Cancer Research. Retrieved from:

Katzmarzyk, P. T., Church, T. S., Craig, C. L., & Bouchard, C. (2009). Sitting time and mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 41(5), 998-1005.

Lynch, B. M. (2010). Sedentary behavior and cancer: a systematic review of the literature and proposed biological mechanisms. Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Biomarkers, 1055-9965.

Matthews, C. E., George, S. M., Moore, S. C., Bowles, H. R., Blair, A., Park, Y., ... & Schatzkin, A. (2012). Amount of time spent in sedentary behaviors and cause-specific mortality in US adults–. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 95(2), 437-445.

Tremblay, M. S., Colley, R. C., Saunders, T. J., Healy, G. N., & Owen, N. (2010). Physiological and health implications of a sedentary lifestyle. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 35(6), 725-740.

Hamburg, N. M., McMackin, C. J., Huang, A. L., Shenouda, S. M., Widlansky, M. E., Schulz, E., ... & Vita, J. A. (2007). Physical inactivity rapidly induces insulin resistance and microvascular dysfunction in healthy volunteers. Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology, 27(12), 2650-2656.

Sitting down,studying,improper posture,spinal cord,heart,lung,diabetes,educational,medicine,demystifying,Health,prevention,mechanisms,McMaster University,physical fitness,exercise,sitting and health,