The global market for standing desks is booming, projected to reach US$12.6 billion by 2032 (£9.7 billion).
These desks have been hailed as a simple fix for the health risks associated with sitting all day. However, recent research suggests that standing might not be the health booster many hoped for. A new study from Australia involving over 83,000 participants found that prolonged standing may not improve heart health and could even increase the risk of certain circulatory problems.
Researchers discovered that standing for extended periods did not reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. In fact, spending too much time either sitting or standing was linked to a higher risk of problems such as varicose veins and feeling dizzy or lightheaded when you stand up. The phrase "sitting is the new smoking" has become popular in the past decade, highlighting the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle.
Prolonged sitting has been associated with obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases . In response, standing desks emerged as a trendy solution, offering a way to reduce sitting time without drastically changing daily routines. But was there solid evidence to support the benefits of standing desks? Much of the enthusiasm was based on limited studies that didn't comprehensively assess long-term health consequences.
This gap in knowledge prompted researchers to investigate further. In the new study, participants wore devices to track their sitting, standing and physical activity over s.
