In today's digital age, many of us find ourselves spending countless hours sitting at desks, working on computers, or engaging in sedentary activities. Unfortunately, prolonged sitting can lead to a host of health issues, including back pain, poor posture, and decreased productivity. However, there's a growing trend that aims to combat these problems and promote a healthier lifestyle – active sitting.
What is Active Sitting?
Active sitting is a concept that encourages individuals to engage their bodies while sitting, transforming sedentary activities into opportunities for movement and exercise. It involves using ergonomic chairs and accessories that promote natural body movement, core engagement, and muscle activation while seated.
Benefits of Active Sitting:
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Improved Posture: Active sitting promotes proper spinal alignment and helps strengthen the muscles that support your back. By engaging your core muscles and maintaining an upright posture, you can reduce the risk of developing poor posture habits and related back problems.
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Increased Energy and Productivity: When you actively engage your body while sitting, you promote blood circulation and oxygen flow, which can help boost your energy levels and cognitive function. Keeping the feet in the same plane as the hips can improve blood circulation. This, in turn, leads to increased productivity and focus throughout the day.
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Strengthened Core Muscles: Active sitting activates and strengthens the muscles in your abdomen, back, and lower body. Sitting in positions such as cross-legged activates the muscles of the lower back and builds strength over time.
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Reduced Back Pain: Active sitting can alleviate back pain caused by extended periods of sitting. By incorporating movement and shifting positions, you relieve stress on the spine, improve flexibility, and reduce muscle tension.
The Role of Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) in Body Weight:
Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the amount of energy your body requires to perform basic functions while at rest. It accounts for the energy needed for essential processes such as breathing, circulating blood, regulating body temperature, and maintaining organ function. BMR can be influenced by various factors, including age, gender, body composition, and physical activity level.
Sedentary behavior, such as prolonged sitting, can contribute to a lower BMR. When you remain sedentary for extended periods, your body's energy expenditure decreases, as there is minimal movement and muscle activation. This reduced energy expenditure can have negative implications for overall metabolic health.
Active sitting, on the other hand, can help increase your BMR. By incorporating movement and engaging your muscles while sitting, you stimulate energy expenditure and metabolic activity. Active sitting promotes muscle activation, which contributes to higher energy expenditure even during sedentary tasks. This increased metabolic activity can have positive effects on weight management and overall metabolic health.
Studies have shown that incorporating movement and physical activity into daily routines, including active sitting, can increase BMR and improve metabolic health. Research conducted by Dr. Daniel Lieberman and other experts in the field of physical activity and health have highlighted the importance of regular movement in maintaining a healthy metabolism.
Conclusion:
Active sitting is a powerful antidote to the negative effects of prolonged sitting, offering a way to transform sedentary activities into opportunities for movement and exercise. By engaging in active sitting practices, you not only promote better posture and core strength but also increase your basal metabolic rate (BMR). This can have significant benefits for your overall metabolic health and weight management.
In case you’re looking for a chair that promotes active sitting - I know a guy ;-)
References:
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Lieberman, D. E. (2021). EXERCISED: Why Something We Never Evolved to Do is Healthy and Rewarding.