Adding to a growing body of evidence that is urging American's to exercise more, study results released in the December 23rd issue of Circulation further emphasized the need to exercise as much as possible during the day. Challenged by sedentary job structures most Americans fall far short of the minimum recommended guidelines of physical activity. Treadmill desks offer a unique solution which allow the majority of American employees strapped to their desks to move throughout the day and preserve their health.
Lead researcher, Dr. Satish Kenchaiah stated “even a little amount of physical activity appears to decrease the risk of heart failure.” The study focused on 21,000 doctors over a twenty year period measuring factors such as weight, physical activity and their effect on the body's ability to pump blood efficiently. Declines in this efficiency often signal an increased risk of major coronary events. Previous studies had shown that overweight individuals who engage in regular exercise have less heart risk than normal weight individuals who are sedentary however this most recent study illustrates the need to both stay active and lose excess pounds.
The study found a 49% increase of heart failure in overweight men (BMI: 25-29) compared to those with a body-mass index of 25 or less. Obese men (BMI > 29.9) experienced a 180 percent increased risk of heart failure. Alarmingly a 5 foot 10 inch man raises the risk of heart failure by 11% for every 7 pounds over his optimum weight. The good news is that physical activity has an impact on these risk factors. Mildly active study participants (1-3 times per month) reduced their risk of heart failure by 18%. More active participants (5-7 times per week) reduced their risk factors by 36 percent.
American's are caught in a disheartening cycle of inactivity at work and home, weight gain, compounding health risks, stress and guilt that decay their quality of life and add billions to the cost of health care annually. We need to recognize the overwhelming body of evidence showing the root of the problem is inactivity and offer employees a means of moving throughout the day. This research showed the dramatic impact of even small amounts of exercise, imagine the health benefits if an employee could walk all day while working.
Treadmill desks offer such an opportunity. Designed to fit an existing treadmill, they allow employees the opportunity to increase productivity, energy levels, mood, lose weight and restore their health during office hours.
