A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Western Australia and published in the Journal of Epidemiology has shown that employees who have spent the past decade sitting at the office are twice as likely to develop bowel cancer as more active occupations. The researchers found this link even among sedentary workers who exercised regularly before or after work. The study adds to a growing body of evidence known as “sedentary science” that is casting a bright light on the extreme harm caused by prolonged sitting. TrekDesk Treadmill Desks allow employees to complete nearly any desk task but keeps them moving through the day, reducing the risks of heart disease, diabetes and cancers.
The study involved a lifestyle comparison of 918 bowel cancer sufferers and 1,021 cancer free volunteers as a control group. The study found that those employees who spent the past decade in a sedentary occupation had a 94% greater likelihood of developing bowel cancer and a 44% increased risk of rectum cancer. Most important, the researchers found that no amount of extra leisure time activity affected these results. That means that exercise before or after work was ineffective in undoing the health damage of a sedentary work environment.
In a statement released with the report the researchers stated the following: 'We found those who spent the most time in sedentary work had a risk of distal colon cancer that was twice that of those who spent the most time in a job requiring light activity. Even a high level of vigorous recreational physical activity did not modify the effect of sedentary work. The findings have occupational health implications, given that advances in technology have led to increasing amounts of sedentary behavior at work.”
“This research adds to a growing body of evidence that forcing employees to stay seated during the day places their long term health in jeopardy,” stated Steve Bordley, CEO of TrekDesk Treadmill Desks. “Earlier studies have shown that men have a 30% higher risk of prostate cancer if they have sedentary occupations. The risks increase significantly for almost all classes of disease including the big four: heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. Employees compromise their health and employer’s health care costs are rising uncontrollably. It has to stop but the solution is simple –get employees up and moving.”
Designed to fit any existing treadmill, TrekDesk is an affordable, full sized workstation that allows individuals the opportunity to gain the necessary amount of exercise daily to maintain health, prevent disease, strengthen muscles, boost mood and productivity, without requiring additional time during the day or extra motivation.