Beware of the chair: break up long periods of sitting time for optimal health

ParticipACTION's third annual Sneak It In Week inspires Canadians to move more at work

TORONTO, April 7, 2014 /CNW/ - Canadian adults spend 9.5 hours per day – almost 70 per cent of their waking hours – being sedentary. Much of this time is spent sitting at work, or in cars commuting to and from work.  But, it's time to beware of the chair.  Excessive time spent sitting increases the risk of diabetes and heart attack, and causes high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, sore backs and foggy brains.

To help Canadians break up time spent sitting and become more physically active throughout their workdays, ParticipACTION is encouraging them to stand up for their health – literally – during its third   annual Sneak It In Week, which runs from April 7 to 11. The campaign calls on Canadians to take active breaks and "sneak in" 10-minute increments of physical activity throughout their workdays to reap the reward of a longer, happier, more fulfilling life.

"Longer commutes, demanding work schedules and living in a sedentary culture mean we are sitting more and moving less," says Elio Antunes, President and CEO of ParticipACTION. "So, let's break up that sedentary behaviour with a little movement—and remember that the more you move, the better off you'll be.  Get your heart beating faster for just 10 minutes and it really counts."

Research shows that 10-minute bouts of physical activity not only break up sedentary time, but are an effective way to increase fitness and meet the recommended 150 minutes of heart-pumping physical activity recommended for adults per week.  Finding opportunities to fit physical activity into your workday may be easier than Canadians realize.

"Start by wearing your sneakers to work this week so you'll feel more compelled to fit active time into your day," says Antunes.  "You don't have to hit the gym for an hour.  You can reap all the health benefits of meeting the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines by regularly fitting in a power walk at lunch or parking further away and walking those extra blocks to and from work."

Some other creative ideas to sit less and move more at work include:

• Standing up during meetings or while on the phone
• Sitting on an exercise ball instead of a chair
• Taking regular breaks to stretch
• Drinking extra water so you have to take frequent breaks to the restroom
• Wearing a pedometer and starting a friendly competition with coworkers to see who can take the most steps in one day
• Starting a lunchtime walking group
• Grabbing coffee or lunch a few extra blocks away
• Holding a walking meeting with colleagues
• "Power shopping" to get active while running errands

Visit the Sneak It In page at www.participACTION.com for more tips.

Canadians are invited to share how they are sneaking it in at work this week on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ParticipACTION or via Twitter at #sneakitin.

About Sneak It In Week
ParticipACTION created Sneak It In Week, which runs this year from April 7 to 11, to help encourage Canadians to sneak in daily physical activity breaks.  For more information on Sneak It In Week, or to download free posters, door hangers, desk signs and logos, please visit participACTION.com.

About ParticipACTION
ParticipACTION is the national voice of physical activity and sport participation in Canada. Originally established in 1971, ParticipACTION was re-launched in 2007 to help prevent the looming inactivity crisis that faces Canada. As a national not-for-profit organization solely dedicated to inspiring and supporting healthy and active living for Canadians, it works with its partners, which include sport, physical activity, recreation organizations, government and corporate sponsors, to inspire and support Canadians to move more. ParticipACTION is generously supported by Sport Canada. For more information, visit www.participACTION.com

SOURCE: ParticipACTION

For further information: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Meaghan Beech, Hill + Knowlton Strategies, W: [phone], M: [phone], [e-mail]; Katherine Janson, ParticipACTION, W: [phone] M: [phone], [e-mail]