Many workers spend eight hours or more hunched over their desks in the office and risk developing problems. We look at what could go wrong.
Heart disease
Muscles burn less fat and blood flows more sluggishly during a long sit, allowing fatty acids to more easily clog the heart. Prolonged sitting has been linked to high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol.
Overproductive pancreas
Idle muscles do not respond as readily to insulin, a hormone needed for energy, so the pancreas produces more and more insulin, which can lead to diabetes and other diseases.
Poor leg circulation
Prolonged sitting slows blood circulation, which causes fluid to pool in the legs. Problems include swollen ankles and varicose veins.
Brain slowdown
When you are sedentary for a long time, everything slows, including brain function.
Strained neck
Craning your neck forward towards a keyboard or tilting your head to cradle a phone while typing can strain the cervical vertebrae and neck muscles, causing persistent neck soreness.
Inflexible spine
When you sit for a long time, soft discs between vertebrae are squashed and lose sponginess.
Colon cancer
Some studies link sitting for long periods of time to an increased risk of developing colon cancer.
Muscle degeneration
Affects muscles in abdomen, hip and gluteus maximus (back muscle). When muscles in these areas go unused, it results in poor posture, decreased mobility and hurts stability.
Soft bones
Walking and running stimulate hip and lower-body bones to grow thicker and stronger. Recent surge in cases of osteoporosis are partially attributed to lack of activity.
THE RIGHT WAY TO SIT
Screen
Top of screen should be eye level.
Mouse
Should be at the same level as the keyboard.
Wrist
Should be relaxed and straightened when typing or when using mouse.
Feet
Both feet should rest on the floor or on a footrest.
Shoulders
Keep them relaxed when using the keyboard or mouse.
Armrest
It should not hinder you from moving close to the desk.
Back
Sit on the chair with your lower back fully supported by the backrest.
Posture
Adjust the height of chair to achieve proper posture. Maintain 90˚ at the hips and knees.
DOCTORS' TIPS
Give your eyes a break by looking at a distant object regularly.
Interrupt long periods of sitting at regular intervals.
Alternate between tasks that use different muscle groups.
Perform stretching exercises regularly.
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