Sedentary Lifestyle: Stretch Your Legs For 10 Minutes To Improve Vascular Funtion

New findings published in the journal Experimental Physiology reveal that taking 10 minute breaks can be helpful in reducing the risk of sitting at a computer for extended periods.

Researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine found that after sitting for six straight hours, vascular function is impaired. Yet fortunately, walking for just 10 minutes can significantly restore it.

During the study, researchers collected information from 11 healthy men before and after they had sat for extended periods.

Findings revealed that blood flow in the popliteal--an artery found in the lower leg--was greatly reduced after sitting for six hours or longer. Fortunately, after taking just a short walk of 10 minutes or longer, they discovered that this greatly impaired vascular function and blood flow.

"When you have decreased blood flow, the friction of the flowing blood on the artery wall, called shear stress, is also reduced," Jaume Padilla, lead author of the study and an assistant professor of nutrition and exercise physiology, said in a news release. "Moderate levels of shear stress are good for arterial health, whereas low levels of shear stress appear to be detrimental and reduce the ability of the artery to dilate. Dilation is a sign of vascular health. The more the artery can dilate and respond to stimuli, the healthier it is."

As many workplaces leave employees no option but to sit all day, it's important that more individuals get up and walk around for their vascular health. By breaking up desk time with just a short stroll, they can greatly reduce their risk of vascular blood vessels. 

"Studies have shown that sitting less can lead to better metabolic and cardiovascular health," Padilla said. "However, more research is needed to determine if repeated periods of reduced vascular function with prolonged sitting lead to long-term vascular complications."

Related Articles

Sedentary Lifestyle: Is Sitting All Day At Work Killing Us?

For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).