A University of Sydney study has determined that sitting can lead to early death.

*Long Pause*

Sorry, we just thought we’d take a quick break from our desk!

Australian researchers, led by the University of Sydney, says that not only do we need to get more exercise but we also need to spend less of our time sitting down.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports their study of more than 220,000 New South Wales residents found the longer you spend sitting down the greater your risk of dying early, even if you otherwise do regular exercise.

Professor David Dunstan, from the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, said health workers usually focused on trying to increase people’s participation in sports, and trying to get them to do at least half an hour of exercise every day.

“We need to think more about what we do with the 15 hours of non-exercise wake time,” he said.

Sitting can be detrimental for our health because when we sit down there is an absence of muscle contractions, explains Professor Dunstan. These contractions are required for the body to clear blood glucose and blood fats from the blood stream.

The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, found adults who sat for more than 11 hours a day had a 40 per cent increased risk of dying within three years, compared with those who sat for fewer than four hours a day.

People who sat for eight to 11 hours a day increased their risk of dying by 15 per cent.

Dr Hidde Van Der Ploeg from the University of Sydney, the lead author of the study, said research into the health effects of sitting usually put the blame on sedentary activities such as television watching.

Instead, they looked at the total sitting time throughout the day regardless of the type of activity.

Source: Travis Stowe

“Doing at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day is still important but it’s just as critical for people to reduce their sitting time,” Dr. Van Der Ploeg said.

He said the average adult spends 90 per cent of their leisure time sitting down. That is insane!

“We sit while eating our breakfast, we sit as we drive, we sit behind our desk all day, we’re always sitting down and this is a health risk.”

Professor Dunstan said the modern, urban environment was conducive to sitting behaviours.

“We need to take those opportunities to stand up, while on transport, at work, during our leisure time,” he said.

He acknowledged that sitting for less than four hours a day was no mean feat.

“It will require people to drastically change, which is hard,” he said. “But that’s the goal.”

OzTREKK did some digging on how to reduce sitting time, especially if you’re working at an office job. Here’s what we found:

• Instead of sending an email or picking up the phone, get up out of your chair to ask your co-worker that pressing question.
• Make a coffee (or water) date with a co-worker at a set time each day. Or, instead of sitting down with your cup of Joe, take a few laps around the office..
• Set an alarm at your computer for around 3 p.m., and when it goes off, get up and go for a walk. Don’t allow any excuses for missing your walk (unless, of course, you’re in the middle of a performance review or presentation – that could get awkward).
• Stand or walk while on the phone.

Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re going to go play some hacky sack in the board room (you just had a 1990′s flashback, didn’t you?).

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Want to conduct research at the University of Sydney? Find out more about studying at University of Sydney

The University of Sydney is notorious for its world-renowned programs, beautiful campus and amazing location in downtown Sydney.

But the university is also a pro at keeping its alumni connected and challenged. Across the world the University of Sydney hosts consistent alumni events, bringing together former students to give them the opportunity to re-connect and meet others who had the same (and amazing) experience as their peers at the University of Sydney campus.

Take Hong Kong for example. Does the University of Sydney organize a coffee date for its alum? Umm, not even close. Instead, they’ve challenged the nearby alumni to hike High Jung Peak. No big deal. Kudos to the University of Sydney as they bring former students together to embark on an activity that encourages exercise in a social setting !

The alumni groups also host educational sessions. If you’re in Beijing, for example, you can connect with your former school mates while learning about how to navigate through the world of social media. Later this month the Beijing alumni chapter will host a social media seminar. So cool.

But let’s not pretend University of Sydney alumni don’t like to have a good time! Living in Shenzhen, China? Alumni and friends living in and around that city can join other alum for drinks at Decanter Bar in the KK Mall. Or, if you’re in Auckland, alumni will be getting together for drinks there as well.

The University of Sydney has also opened up to the Canadian alumni market, having hosted alumni gatherings throughout the country.

“As University of Sydney alumni, both Beth and I always keep an eye out for their next great alumni gathering,” says OzTREKK Director Matt Miernik. “They have a way of wanting alumni to get together and reconnect every so often. It’s a great way to establish contacts with former Sydney alumni, and it definitely makes me re-visit my days spent on campus.”

Matt adds the alumni events are so popular because University of Sydney alumni take pride in calling the University of Sydney their university.

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Want to become a University of Sydney alumni? Then learn more about studying at the University of Sydney!