Our bodies are designed to move. “We can see this from the way our bodies are structured, We are made up of 360 joints and over 700 muscles that move your skeleton. Our vascular and nervous system depends on movement to function.” Mohamed Taha, clinical director at Form Clinic, told HuffPost UK.
To highlight the effects of a sedentary lifestyle on the human body, we spoke to experts about how sitting down all day impacts various organs and bodily systems.
A lifestyle involving little or no physical activities has a huge effect on our body. We at HealthPigeon spoke with many specialized doctors about how sitting all day long impacts various organs and other bodily systems.
Let us highlight the effects a sedentary lifestyle makes on which part of the body and its organs.
1. Back and Shoulders.
We all feel the effects of sitting on Back and Shoulder for long periods.
2. Legs and Hips
Sitting down for long periods can “lead to muscle atrophy in the leg and gluteal areas, where the muscles weaken and waste away”, according to Dr Clare Morrison, GP at online pharmacy MedExpress.
“Sitting also causes hip flexor muscles to shorten, leading to issues with hip joints.”
Poor Circulation is also one of the major issues which prolonged sitting can lead to. This could lead to swollen ankles, varicose veins and even deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
3. Heart And Cardiovascular System
According to Huffingtonpost UK, there is an increase of about 125% in cardiovascular disease in the group that spends more than 4 hours sitting down as compared to a group who spends less than 2 hours in front of the TV.
They also have a 46% increased risk of death from other causes.
Sitting down for a longer period deactivates an enzyme called ‘Lipoprotein lipase’ which is responsible for the breakdown of fats in blood vessels.
This leads to the blockage of blood vessels in the heart.
4. Lungs
Sitting all day reduces the amount of oxygen intake.
Generation of Lung Compression due to this posture, lungs get less space to expand during breathing.
As a result, it limits the oxygen that fills the lungs.
5. Brain
Sitting down all day has a huge impact on our brain especially. As the whole body is being driven by the brain only. The whole sluggishness of the brain is due to this specific thing only. It makes it difficult to concentrate on tasks as the day progresses. this happens because sitting down limits the oxygen and fresh blood circulating into the brain which decreases the levels of hormones, endorphins and reduces the speed of our brain functioning.
6. Pancreas
A hormone called insulin is being produced by the pancreas which helps in the breakdown of Glucose for energy generation, Sitting down for a longer period makes muscle inactive which later on don’t respond to insulin.
This forces the pancreas to generate more and more insulin for the breakdown of glucose, which often leads to diabetes.
7. Digestive System
Sitting down all day can slow down your digestion system as it compresses the abdomen increases the pressure of abdomen which leads to the negative impact on gut bacteria. This is the major cause of some major health-related diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease and more. Sedation people mainly suffer from heartburn, cramps, bloating, gas and general discomfort after eating.
How can you prevent it?
Some tips we recommend you which help you in fighting these basic body disorders caused by sitting all day long.
Most primarily avoid sitting for a long time on a go.
Try to take a few short intervals between your work.
Some basic exercises to stretch out the muscles.
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