A doctor is urging people to perform a simple task every 45 minutes if they sit down for their jobs all day. Dr Mark Hyman, who has millions of followers on social media, has shared the results of a recent study in a new Instagram post.
Part of the post’s caption reads: “Sitting for hours at a time doesn’t just affect your energy—it can seriously disrupt blood sugar control. A recent study reveals that interrupting prolonged sitting with short bursts of movement can significantly improve glycaemic control.”
Text within the image posted itself explains: “Doing 10 bodyweight squats every 45 minutes during an 8.5-hour period of sitting is more effective for blood sugar regulation than a single 30-minute walk.”
The doctor added that “frequent, targeted bursts of activity were shown to activate key muscle groups like the quadriceps and glutes, leading to better glucose management throughout the day” and said this is “proof that you don’t need to spend hours in the gym to support your metabolic health”.
NHS advice states that sitting for long periods, unless you are a wheelchair user, can lead to ill health. To combat this, health bosses suggest exercising for at least 150 minutes a week. You can also stand on the train or bus, take the stairs and walk up escalators, and set a reminder to get up every 30 minutes, guidance adds.