For many, the idea of spending an entire week without being able to sit down, even for work or to use the bathroom, may seem like a nightmare. However, this is precisely what Lucas, an American YouTuber known for his channel “pigmie”, decided to do.
According to the criteria of
For seven days, he pledged not to use any chairs as part of a challenge he said was not only intended to generate content but also explore the physical effects of this radical change in his daily routine.
The impetus behind this peculiar test was not just entertainment. In the video documenting his experience, Lucas mentions that his decision was influenced by studies warning about the dangers of sitting for long periods.
According to the data, the average American spends about 9.5 hours a day sitting. This habit, combined with lack of exercise, is identified as a key factor in the development of obesity and other related diseases.
This is not the first time that the scientific community has raised its voice about the risks of a sedentary lifestyle. A recent article published in JAMA Network Open revealed that sitting for long periods of time is linked to an increased risk of premature death. Specifically, those who spend more hours in a chair are 34% more likely to die from cardiovascular diseases.
Mixed results: from benefits to complications
On the first day of the experiment, Lucas made sure to create an environment that would allow him to work without sitting down. To do this, he used a table adapted for working standing up. He soon noticed that his digestive system was starting to work more efficiently. “I felt like things were moving comfortably in the right direction,” he says in the video.
As the days progressed, Lucas modified his routine to avoid the temptation to sit down. He opted to walk to the store instead of driving and made sure to keep his spine straight even in the bathroom. He also continued his strength training sessions at the gym.
However, it wasn’t all good news. As the days went by, the negative effects of standing began to manifest themselves. Lucas experienced increasing fatigue, joint pain and a deterioration in his posture, as his shoulders began to lean forward. These problems led him to abandon the challenge on the fifth day, after having gained 0.45 kilos, attributing this weight gain to the need to compensate for the fatigue with food.
Despite the difficulties, Lucas identified some positive aspects of his experience. He noticed an improvement in the appearance of his lower spine and also an increase in his productivity, estimating a 30% improvement. He also observed a noticeable improvement in his digestion. “I felt that my digestion was much better by spending more time on my feet during the day. Everything seemed to go faster and smoother,” Lucas concludes in his video.
O Globo (Brazil) / GDA
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*This content was rewritten with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on information from O Globo, and was reviewed by a journalist and an editor.
