Study Questions Health Benefits of Standing Desks, Highlights Need for Regular Movement

The Rise in Popularity of Standing Desks

As a burgeoning concept in workspace restructuring meant to bolster health, standing desks have successfully carved out a niche in the market, riding on the endorsement of several high-profile personas like Apple's Tim Cook, who has famously dubbed prolonged sitting as "the new cancer."

Standing Desk and Cardiovascular Risks

However, a recent report by the Washington Post unveils an unexpected discovery. According to a comprehensive study encompassing data from over 83,000 adults, standing for prolonged durations, synonymous with the use of standing desks, may not be a safeguard against cardiovascular issues as previously thought. Instead, the research suggests prolonged standing could usher in a greater probability of developing circulatory ailments such as varicose veins, abnormally low blood pressure, and blood clots. On another note, standing on end also only adds a negligible nine calories burnt per hour.

The Magic Pill: Regular Movement

Interestingly, the study doesn't mean to endorse sedentariness either. Sitting excessively remains a concern according to the orchestrators of the research, pointing out that physical lethargy is invariably deleterious. The actual antidote, as proposed by University of Sydney professor Emmanuel Stamatakis who spearheaded the research effort, lies in cultivating a habit of frequent movement. In conversation with the Post, he emphasizes, "Muscular contraction is a necessary condition for any activity to maintain or improve health." In other words, the key to healthier living might be as simple as regular muscle movement every half an hour.