A new study suggests that long periods without movement during the day can negatively affect health and increase the risk of dying from cancer, wrote The Guardian.

Researchers followed more than 90,000 people for about 12 years and found that people who sat or lay awake for more than 30 minutes without interruption had a higher risk of dying from cancer. The risk increased the longer the period of inactivity.

However, the good news is that even light movement can help. Researchers found that breaking up sitting with short activities, such as a short walk to the office, doing housework or ironing, can lower the risk.

“Sitting for more than 30 minutes at a time is particularly associated with a higher risk of dying from cancer. The good news is that breaking up sitting with something as simple as a short walk can be protective,” said Dr. Frederick Ho from the University of Glasgow, the lead author of the study.

He added that even light movements should not be underestimated, as not everyone has the opportunity to do intense physical activity every day.

According to the study, each additional hour spent in long periods without movement was associated with about a 10 percent increase in the risk of dying from cancer.

On the other hand, replacing one hour of sitting with light activity, such as washing dishes or ironing, was associated with a 12 percent reduction in risk.

Even just 5 minutes of vigorous activity instead of 5 minutes of sitting was associated with a possible 22 percent reduction in risk.

According to the researchers, the result does not directly prove that sitting causes cancer, as the analysis is based on observational data. However, the findings support the idea that cutting out long periods of inactivity may be a simple step to better health.

Source: prizrenpost