Nhu Quynh

Those of you who are office workers are likely to have become well-acquainted with your desk chair; after all, you spend most of the day sitting on it - a behavior that has been linked to a range of health problems. Now, researchers from the University of Iowa have come up with a simple but potentially effective way to increase physical activity among office employees: put a portable pedaling device under each desk.

Nam lim xanh quang nam tri ung thu

Published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the study found office employees who were provided with a personal pedaling device increased their physical activity, with those who used the device the most reaping some health benefits.

Study co-author Lucas Carr, assistant professor of health and human physiology and member of the Obesity Research and Education Initiative at the University of Iowa, and colleagues presented their findings at the 2015 Society of Behavioral Medicine's Annual Meeting in San Antonio, TX, earlier this year.

noi ban nam lim xanh quang nam

Previous research has shown sedentary behavior can raise the risk of numerous health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. In June, Medical News Today reported lack of physical activity may even have an impact on mental health, raising the risk of anxiety.

Office workers are one group at particularly high risk for sedentary-related health problems. Earlier this year, a survey of office workers conducted by the British Health Foundation found almost half of women and nearly 40% of men spend less than 30 minutes walking around at work.

And in January, MNT reported on a study that found regular exercise may not even reduce the health risks associated with prolonged sitting.

High use of pedal device led to weight loss, better concentration and fewer sick days

Many employers have attempted to encourage physical activity in the workplace by providing employees with shared exercise facilities.

Fast facts about exercise

• It is recommended that adults get at least 2.5 hours of physical activity each week, but less than half do
• Individuals who engage in physical activity tend to live longer and have