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A new Finnish study has raised concerns about the health effects of prolonged standing at work, suggesting that standing for extended periods can have a negative impact on blood pressure. Published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, the study highlights the importance of balancing standing and sitting during the workday to maintain cardiovascular health.
The research, part of the Finnish Retirement and Aging Study (FIREA) led by the University of Turku, tracked the physical activity and blood pressure of municipal employees approaching retirement age. Participants wore thigh accelerometers to measure activity levels during work, leisure, and rest periods. They also used a portable blood pressure monitor that measured their blood pressure every 30 minutes over 24 hours.
Standing vs. Sitting: Impact on Blood Pressure
The study found that spending long hours standing at work was associated with higher 24-hour blood pressure compared to sitting. Dr. Jooa Norha, a doctoral researcher at the University of Turku, explained that 24-hour blood pressure readings are a more accurate measure of how the body handles blood pressure fluctuations throughout the day and night. Consistently elevated blood pressure can strain the heart and blood vessels, potentially leading to cardiovascular disease over time.
“Rather than any single measurement, 24-hour blood pressure is a better indication of how blood pressure stresses the heart and blood vessels throughout the day and night,” Norha said. “If blood pressure remains slightly high throughout the day and does not fall sufficiently at night, it can lead to stiffening of the blood vessels and greater strain on the heart.”
Workplace Activity and Heart Health
The study supports previous findings that physical activity during work hours can sometimes be harmful. Prolonged standing, in particular, can raise blood pressure by increasing circulation to the lower limbs and boosting the heart’s pumping power.
While standing desks have become popular as an alternative to sitting, Norha advises against standing for long periods. “A standing desk can provide a nice change from sitting at the office, but too much standing can be harmful,” she said. “It’s a good idea to take a break from standing during the workday, either by walking every half hour or sitting for some parts of the day.”
The Importance of Recreational Exercise
Interestingly, the study also found that sedentary work in itself is not necessarily detrimental to blood pressure. Instead, regular physical activity during leisure time was identified as a key factor in maintaining cardiovascular health, regardless of whether the person’s job involves sitting or standing.
“Engaging in diverse physical exercise during leisure time helps maintain fitness, which can make the physical demands of work more manageable,” Norha explained. “For those with sedentary jobs, it’s important to ensure they get enough exercise outside of work hours to mitigate the effects of inactivity.”
The study reinforces the importance of incorporating regular physical activity into daily routines, both at work and during leisure time, to maintain healthy blood pressure levels and support long-term cardiovascular health.
For more details, see the study: Jooa Norha et al, “Associations between Leisure and Work Time Activity Behavior and 24 H Ambulatory Blood Pressure among Aging Workers,” Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (2024). DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003594.
