ParticipACTION
“Everything Gets Better” campaign
- A Canada where physical activity is a vital part of everyday life
- As Canada’s premier physical activity brand, ParticipACTION helps Canadians sit less and move more through innovative engagement initiatives and thought leadership
Sedentary Behaviour
any waking behaviour characterized by **low energy expenditure (≤ METs) ** while in a sitting or reclining position
Sleeping is NOT sedentary behaviour
Example Sedentary Day
24-Hour Movement & Non-Movement Behaviours
Sedentary Behaviour Intervention Model
Physical Inactivity vs. Sedentary Behaviour
Physical inactivity is _not_ participating in physical activity
Sedentary behaviour is any sitting or reclining low expenditure waking behaviour
How does being _sedentary at work _ contribute to overall health risks?
Weight gain, obesity, heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, mortality from all-causes
4 key characteristics important for consideration
1) behaviour characteristics
2) intervention characteristics
3) environmental/social characteristics
4) individual characteristics
Behaviour Characteristics
Intervention Characteristics
Environmental/social characteristics
Individual Characteristics
What can we do to avoid the health risks of a sedentary lifestyle?
3 options
1) should we stand more?
2) should we exercise more?
3) should we do more light activities?
Should we stand more?
Energy Expenditure for standing versus sitting
- = 0.15 (0.12-0.17) kcal/min (46 studies with 1,184 participants)
- = 9 kcal for every hour spent standing instead of sitting
- = 54 kcal if people stood for 6 hours per day (instead of sitting)
- = 1 slice of bread
What is actually helping is the change of body position throughout the day (sit stand sit stand etc)
Should we exercise more?
“Those who are active about 60-75 min per day of moderate intensity physical activity seem to have no increased risk of mortality, even if they sit for more than 8 h a day”
Risk for Mortality
Hazard Ratio
Should we do more light activities?
Stretches in office, positively impact WSIB carpal tunnel, sore backs, sick time related to pain
- Very good for you
Intermittent walking, better glycaemic control
- You move, you burn energy
Affects your mood, makes you happier taking breaks
- 3X more 3 breaks every 80 min
Standing, is 1.6 METs, increase valence even more (scale of happiness)
- Brisk walk, 3X more
Glycemic Control
Physical Activity and Duration
Promoting Light Activities
can be a starting place for the physically inactive and those with mobility limitations
- More likely to stick to something that is easy to follow
- More confident to try more activities, also more motivated to do more — more intense and more regular activity
What do we replace sedentary time with for optimal health?
Most energy expenditure → exercise and light activities
Low and slow → light activities only
Most efficient → exercise only
Promoting physical activity to counter the risks of sedentary isn’t easy
Some activity is better than none, even if you’re sedentary
New Recommendations WHO 2020
150/week adults, children 1 hr/day
Additional: recommendations to be less sedentary
- One decade ago, average was 5 hr a day
- Now, sitting a lot more
Social Determinants of Health Model