A Finnish study found that standing for long amounts of time at work has a detrimental impact on blood pressure over the course of a day. In contrast, increased sitting at work was connected to lower blood pressure readings. According to this study, physical activity during work hours may have a greater impact on blood pressure than exercise done outside of work. Regular exercise is essential for controlling blood pressure.
Vigorous aerobic workouts are most good at lowering it, but other activities also aid. Previous research has indicated that exercise done in leisure time improves the heart more than activity done at work, which can have negative consequences.
The Finnish Retirement and Ageing Study (FIREA) at the University of Turku assessed the activity levels of municipal workers nearing retirement. They tracked their movements with thigh-mounted accelerometers during work, free time, and vacation days. Participants also wore a blood pressure monitor, which took readings every 30 minutes for the whole day.
According to Doctoral Researcher Jooa Norha, monitoring blood pressure over 24 hours gives a more complete view of how it affects the heart and blood vessels during the day and night. If blood pressure remains high during the day and does not drop at night, it can cause stiff blood vessels and more strain on the heart, perhaps leading to heart disease.
“A standing desk might be a welcome break from sitting in the office, but excessive standing can be detrimental. It’s a good idea to take breaks from standing during the workday, whether by walking every half hour or sitting for some of the time.
“It is important to realise that being physically active at work is not sufficient on its own. Diverse physical activity at leisure time helps to maintain fitness, making work-related stress more tolerable. Similarly, individuals with sedentary professions should receive enough exercise during their free time,” Norha emphasises.
Furthermore, the study’s findings indicate that sedentary work is not inherently deleterious to blood pressure. Instead, studies emphasise the value of leisure physical activity for both office and construction workers. The latest findings support prior research indicating that physical exertion at work can be damaging to the heart and circulatory system.
