Breaking up prolonged sitting linked to lower cancer death risk
Breaking up long periods of sitting with light physical activity could reduce the risk of cancer death, according to a study led by researchers at the University of Glasgow.
Published in PLOS Medicine, the research analysed activity data from more than 91,000 UK Biobank participants over an average follow-up period of 12 years to investigate how sedentary behaviour influences cancer risk.
While prolonged sedentary behaviour has previously been associated with poorer health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease and some cancers, the researchers say their findings suggest that not only the amount of time spent sitting, but also how that time is accumulated, is important.
The team found that sitting or reclining continuously for more than 30 minutes at a time was associated with a higher risk of cancer death, with each additional hour of prolonged inactivity linked to a 10% increase in risk.
However, replacing sedentary behaviour with physical activity appeared to reduce that risk.
According to the study, replacing one hour of sedentary time each day with light physical activity, such as slow walking or household tasks, was associated with a 12% lower risk of cancer death.
Replacing 30 minutes of inactivity with moderate physical activity reduced the risk by 8%, while substituting five minutes of sitting with five minutes of vigorous activity, such as running, was associated with a 22% lower risk.
Lead author Dr Frederick Ho said the findings highlight the importance of interrupting long periods of sitting.
“What our data shows is that sitting for more than 30 minutes at a time is particularly linked to a higher risk of cancer,” he said.
“The good news is that breaking up your sitting time with something as simple as a short walk could be protective.”
Ho added that while current health guidance focuses on moderate and vigorous exercise, the study suggests light movement should not be overlooked.
The researchers say future clinical trials will help determine how activity recommendations could be tailored to individuals.
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