Reducing the time we spend sitting by about 40 minutes a day can prevent worsening back pain, according to a study in overweight adults that reinforces the importance of physical activity for back health.
A new study has found that it is possible to prevent worsening of back pain by reducing the time we spend sitting each day, a finding that helps to better understand the relationship between physical activity and back pain, as well as the associated mechanisms. to this discomfort. Although it intuitively seems logical to think that sitting less could relieve back pain, data from previous research is surprisingly limited.
The study, carried out by the PET Center at the University of Turku and the UKK Institute in Finland, looked at whether reducing daily sitting time could prevent or alleviate back pain in overweight or obese adults, who spend most of their time sitting of their time sitting. Participants were able to reduce their sedentary time by 40 minutes per day, on average, throughout the six-month study.
“The participants were fairly normal, middle-aged adults who spent a lot of time sitting, did little exercise, and had gained some weight. These factors not only increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, but also of back pain,” explained Jooa Norha, doctoral researcher and physiotherapist at the University of Turku.
Previous studies from the same research group and others have suggested that spending too much time sitting may be detrimental to back health, but the data have been preliminary. The results of the new work have been published in BMJ Open.
Physical activity is better for your back than standing
The researchers also explored the possible mechanisms behind the prevention of back pain. “However, we did not see that changes in back pain were related to changes in the amount of fat or glucose metabolism in the back muscles,” Norha said.
People with back pain tend to accumulate fat deposits in the muscles in the area, and altered glucose metabolism, or low insulin sensitivity, can predispose them to pain. However, back pain can be prevented or alleviated even if there are no improvements in muscle composition or metabolism. To measure the back muscles, the researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET), which uses a radioactive tracer.
Researchers emphasize that it is more relevant to change posture frequently than to seek a “perfect” posture
“If you are prone to back pain or spend too much time sitting and are concerned about your back health, you can try to find ways to reduce the time you spend sitting at work or in your free time. However, it is important to keep in mind that physical activity, such as walking or exercising faster, is better than simply standing,” Norha pointed out. Researchers emphasize that it is more important to change your posture frequently than to search for a “perfect” posture.
