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FIND A KIN
By Tara Santavicca, Kinesiologist
COVID-19 has had profound effects on our levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour – both here in Canada and abroad. Almost two years into the pandemic, and we have become accustomed to new work and study habits, inclusive of decreased opportunities for physical activity and surges in sedentary screen time.
What is sedentary behaviour? It is the act of sitting, reclined or lying down and exerting very little energy.
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COVID-19 has had profound effects on our levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour – both here in Canada and abroad. Almost two years into the pandemic, and we have become accustomed to new work and study habits, inclusive of decreased opportunities for physical activity and surges in sedentary screen time.
What is sedentary behaviour? It is the act of sitting, reclined or lying down and exerting very little energy. Examples include work, eating meals, reading, or screen time. Not considered sedentary behaviour is sleep. Aiming for 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night can provide wonders for the human body.
As we do shift to a new normal, it is important to schedule in movement breaks to reduce long bouts of sedentary time. Are you still walking over to your colleagues’ desk? For many, the answer is ‘no’, as we hop on to our various digital platforms and type away our questions. The list goes on and one thing is clear, we are more sedentary and moving less during the day.
So, one might wonder, “What’s the problem with increased sedentary time if I attain the recommend 150 minutes of physical activity per week?” Sedentary behaviour is distinct from physical activity. It is a risk factor for all-cause mortality as well as chronic and metabolic diseases, like XXX. The answer is to focus on both behaviours each day – move more and limit sedentary behaviours each day!
By combining regular physical activity, reducing sedentary behaviour and implementing healthy sleep habits, you can lower your risk of mortality, and many conditions including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol as well as several cancers (think breast, colon and endometrial), anxiety, depression, and dementia. The result? You are likely to have improved physical function, cognition, bone health, and quality of life.
Unsure where to start or how to improve your movement patterns around the clock? Find a Kin today to help you move better and more often!
References
- Knight, R. L., Mcnarry, M. A., Sheeran, L., Runacres, A. W., Thatcher, R., Shelley, J., & Mackintosh, K. A.. (2021). Moving Forward: Understanding Correlates of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour during COVID-19—An Integrative Review and Socioecological Approach. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(20), 10910. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182010910
- Lavie, C. J., Ozemek, C., Carbone, S., Katzmarzyk, P. T., & Blair, S. N.. (2019). Sedentary Behavior, Exercise, and Cardiovascular Health. Circulation Research, 124(5), 799–815. https://doi.org/10.1161/circresaha.118.312669
