As work from home becomes a common lifestyle particularly post-Covid pandemic, many of us find ourselves spending excessive hours sitting, whether at our desks or on the couch, often slouched over our laptops and phones.
A brisk walk and exercise is key, Jooa Norha, a doctoral researcher and physiotherapist at the University of Turku who conducted the study has focused on adults aged 40 to 65 with metabolic syndrome - a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Flagging the detrimental effects of a sedentary lifestyle on back pain, especially on the ones who are overweight and physically inactive, she said that the unhealthy habit can lead to serious long-term health issues.
The study targeted participants with metabolic syndrome — a combination of health conditions involving the risk of heart diseases, stroke and diabetes. The study was conducted on 64 adults between 40 and 65 years-old who were overweight or obese. The participants were further divided into two groups — one group was asked to reduce their sitting time and include light exercise in their routine, while the other group was asked to carry on with their normal routine.
The ones who included light exercise in their routine demonstrated stable back pain, while the inactive group showed a steep increase in the intensity of back pain. Hence, the study concluded that reducing inactivity can help fix back pain significantly.
