Standing Desks: Do They Really Lower Blood Pressure?
The quest for a healthier work life often leads to trendy office solutions, and standing desks have quickly become a favorite. But do these trendy desks truly deliver on their promise of improved health?
New research from West Virginia University is raising questions about the effectiveness of standing desks for lowering blood pressure. While the study found that switching between sitting and standing at work reduced sedentary behavior, it showed no significant impact on blood pressure levels.
"People are standing at their desks and reducing their sedentary behavior more than an hour a day, which is great," notes Bethany Barone Gibbs, the lead researcher and chair and professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at West Virginia University’s School of Public Health. "Because of that, there is still a lot of evidence that sitting is not too good for us and we need to move more."
However, the study found "no improvement in blood pressure, no improvement in resting blood pressure, flow blood pressure, or pulse wave velocity." This finding challenges the common assumption that simply standing more throughout the day automatically translates to improved cardiovascular health.
The study, published in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation, followed 271 office workers with elevated blood pressure. Participants were given standing desks and wearable trackers to encourage frequent movement. Researchers carefully monitored their blood pressure and arterial stiffness. While standing outside of work hours did show a positive impact on blood pressure, simply standing at a desk during work did not.
The reason behind this surprising finding may lie in the difference between active and passive standing. "Standing is more active when you’re using your time," explains Barone Gibbs. "For example, if I stand up and watch my daughter’s soccer game, I might be standing, but maybe I’ll be walking around, talking to people, watching the game.
I don’t hold still for a long time. I’ve been working on my leg muscles to improve blood circulation. This is a very important difference."
The Role of Muscle Contractions
Barone Gibbs highlights the importance of muscle contractions in promoting healthy blood flow. Muscles act as pumps, helping to circulate blood back to the heart. When we stand still for prolonged periods, just like when we sit, blood flow can become sluggish.
"The veins in our legs have a one-way valve, and once blood is pushed up, it can’t come back down. This helps the heart pump blood from the legs back to the heart and brain," Barone Gibbs explains. "When you flex your calf muscles by walking or jogging, those muscle contractions help push blood up through the one-way valve.
So, standing still at a desk causes you the same pain as when we sit, but it’s worse because it’s harder for your blood to flow back to the brain while standing."
Looking Forward: The Importance of Movement
While standing desks may not be the magic solution for lowering blood pressure, the research underscores the importance of movement throughout the workday.
Barone Gibbs emphasizes the need for further research into specific strategies for promoting movement at work. Future studies will explore the impact of small, subtle movements like lifting heels or using a balance board while seated.
"What we want to study are the little things you do at your desk, like lifting your heels to get muscle pumps, using a balance board or getting into position to move those muscles. Does standing at your desk benefit you? And is it harmless? We think so, but we’re not sure yet."
The takeaway? Simply standing at a desk may not be enough to significantly improve blood pressure. Acttive movement remains key.
Barone Gibbs concludes, "We need more research on this so we can tell people what they can do to improve their health. As researchers, it’s our job to tell the public how best to use their time and energy to improve their wellbeing."
2024-12-01 02:30:00
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## Standing Desks: Do They Really lower Blood Pressure?
**An interview wiht Dr. Bethany Barone Gibbs, Led Researcher at West Virginia University**
**World-Today-News:** Dr. Gibbs, thank you for taking the time to speak with us about your recent research on standing desks and blood pressure. Your study has sparked quite a bit of discussion, especially its findings regarding the lack of notable impact on blood pressure levels.
**Dr.Gibbs:** It’s my pleasure.It’s a timely topic, given the increasing popularity of standing desks. We were interested in exploring the potential cardiovascular benefits, particularly for those with elevated blood pressure.
**World-Today-news:** Can you elaborate on the design of your study and who participated?
**Dr.Gibbs:** We enrolled 271 office workers with elevated blood pressure. Each participant was provided with a standing desk and wearable trackers to monitor their activity and blood pressure throughout the day.
**World-Today-News:** What were your key findings?
**Dr. Gibbs:** The results were interesting. we observed a significant decrease in sedentary behavior among participants who used the standing desks, with individuals standing for over an hour more each day.This is indeed a positive outcome as prolonged sitting is linked to various health risks.
**World-Today-News:** However, your study didn’t find a direct link between standing desks and lower blood pressure, correct?
**Dr. Gibbs:** That’s right.We did not find any significant improvement in blood pressure levels, weather it was resting blood pressure, flow blood pressure, or pulse wave velocity. This is where our findings challenge the commonly held belief that simply standing more automatically translates to better cardiovascular health.
**World-Today-News:** This is quite surprising given the general perception about standing desks’ health benefits. What are the possible explanations for these results?
**Dr.Gibbs:** While standing can burn more calories than sitting, it may not be enough to substantially impact blood pressure. This highlights the complexity of cardiovascular health. Multiple factors contribute, including diet, exercise, genetics, and stress levels.
**World-Today-News:** So,does this mean standing desks are not worthwhile?
**Dr. Gibbs:** Not necessarily. Our study focused specifically on blood pressure.
We still saw a reduction in sedentary behaviour which is beneficial in itself. It’s critically important to remember that standing desks can be part of a holistic approach to a healthier lifestyle. Combining them with regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management techniques is crucial for overall well-being.
**World-Today-News:** What would you recommend to people who are considering getting a standing desk?
**Dr. Gibbs:** Go for it! But don’t expect it to be a magic bullet for lowering blood pressure. Think of it as one element in a larger strategy to improve your health. Talk to your doctor about incorporating other healthy habits into your daily routine for best results.
