[Column] Why standing at work won’t improve your health

Sedentary behavior poses significant health risks, including increased chances of cardiovascular disease, vascular problems, joint issues, diabetes, and obesity. However, this doesn’t mean that standing at work is a healthy alternative. Prolonged standing carries its own health risks, such as vein swelling and blood clots in the legs. Moreover, standing does not reduce the cardiovascular risks associated with prolonged inactivity. These findings were highlighted in a study published last October in the International Journal of Epidemiology by researchers from the University of Sydney, Australia, who analyzed health data from 83,013 British adults.

Using detailed information about participants' lifestyle, health, and daily habits, along with data from wrist-worn activity trackers, the researchers investigated the link between movement patterns and hospitalizations for cardiovascular disease. The results revealed that both sitting and standing can pose health risks. People who sat for more than 10 hours a day faced a 13 percent higher risk of heart disease for every additional hour of sitting, compared to those who sat less. They also had a 26 percent greater risk of circulatory issues, such as varicose veins and blood clots.

However, standing wasn’t particularly beneficial either. For every additional 30 minutes of standing beyond two hours per day, the risk of circulatory disease increased by 11 percent. Prolonged standing can lead to varicose veins—swollen, bulging veins in the legs. While some TV health programs suggest that simply ditching your chair will improve your health, the study found this isn’t true. Comparing those who stood for more than two hours a day to those who stood less showed no increase in cardiovascular risk, but it didn’t lower it either. In other words, buying a standing desk won’t necessarily make you healthier.

In conclusion, the researchers noted that the supposed health benefits of standing have been greatly overstated.

To understand why standing desks aren't the answer, we need to examine why sitting is harmful. The hip and thigh muscles are the largest skeletal muscles in humans, designed for upright movement. When these large muscles remain inactive, your metabolism slows, and insulin sensitivity decreases. The leg muscles are also crucial in maintaining proper blood circulation by contracting and pumping blood. Without movement, circulation diminishes, increasing the risk of blood clots.

This explains why simply standing isn’t enough—standing doesn’t equate to movement. A 2019 British study involving 46 adults found that standing burns only 9.3 additional calories per hour compared to sitting. The key is movement. Standing up once an hour isn’t sufficient; you need to walk, stretch, or engage in light activity. Whether it’s going for a walk, climbing stairs, or repeatedly sitting down and standing up, what truly matters is staying active.

In terms of health, the opposite of sitting isn’t standing—it’s moving.

Jeong Jae-hoon is a food writer and pharmacist. He covers a variety of subjects, including trends in food, wellness and medications. This column was originally published in Korean in Joongang Ilbo on Dec. 19, 2024. – Ed.