London - You might think a daily visit to the gym would be enough to make up for those hours spent lounging in front of the TV.
But a study has found that middle aged women who spend too long sitting down are at greater risk of health problems – no matter how much exercise they do.
Those who are inactive for more than 11 hours a day are 12 percent more likely to die prematurely than if they stayed still for four hours or less. They are also at 27 percent greater risk of dying from heart disease and a fifth more likely to die of cancer.
The US team said their findings show even those who exercise regularly are at risk.
‘The assumption has been if you are fit and physically active, that will protect you, even if you spend a huge amount of time sitting each day,’ said study author Rebecca Seguin of New York’s Cornell University.
‘In fact, in doing so you are far less protected from negative health effects of being sedentary than you realise.’
The research, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, looked at 93,000 post-menopausal women over a 12-year period. It found too much time sitting raised the risk of dying even when factors such as chronic disease and overall fitness were taken into account.
Women begin to lose muscle mass from the age of 35, a change that accelerates with the menopause.
Dr Seguin explained that too much time sitting in an office or watching TV makes it harder to regain physical strength once it has been lost.
Regular exercise, especially lifting weights and other muscle building exercises, helps to counteract the decline.
But the research shows that everyday movement on top of working out is vital for maintaining health.
Dr Seguin, a nutritional scientist, advised those who are middle aged or even younger to adopt ‘small changes that make a big difference’. She added: “If you are in an office, get up and move around frequently.
‘If you are retired and have more idle time, find ways to move around.’ - Daily Mail