WOW, Research Now Indicates That Physical Inactivity Can Be 'Deadly'!

We all knew that physical inactivity can be unhealthy, but now studies are showing that it is the fourth leading cause of death. Apparent health or healthy lifestyle does not compensate for extended periods of sitting around.  The average American watches around 40 hours of television per week (those age 65 or older average 48 hours per week).  Work and commuting time averages about 45 hours per week.  If you add about 50 hours for sleeping, that only leaves about 33 hours per week for other things, many of which we do involve sitting.  Office workers spend about 95% of their time at work sitting and 82% motionless. More and more studies now link sitting with shortened life expectancy, increase in fat accumulation around the heart, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and abdominal obesity.

So now that we know the real dangers of inactivity, especially sitting, is there anything that can be done to help us get more active?  The answer is not just going from sitting to standing.  The key is MUSCLE CONTRACTION. This means “don’t just sit there (or stand there), but move something.  First thing is to make a commitment and plan to add movement throughout the day.  Begin by standing then moving the muscles.  Start with your arms and shoulders, stretching then squeezing the muscles in isometric exercises.  You can then do some leg work with some small lunges and squats.  Some people are using “wobble boards” while standing to help in exercise and balance.  Get creative! 

In our studio we have Power Plate, whole body vibration equipment which allows our clients to get 30-50 muscle contractions per second, all done through a natural spinal reflex action.  When we do a 30 second exercise at a frequency of 30vbs, all the muscles contract 900 times.  This allows our clients to get a full body workout in about 30 minutes, something it takes typical gym members at least 90 minutes four times per week.  Till next time, keep moving