Standing desks have gained popularity as a solution for office workers aiming to counter the negative health impacts of prolonged sitting. While marketed as tools for weight loss, improved blood sugar regulation, and reduced back pain, experts remain divided on their actual benefits.

Standing vs. Sitting: The Science

Kévin Desbrosses, a researcher at France’s National Research and Safety Institute (INRS), highlights some advantages of standing over sitting. “Sedentary behavior is defined as sitting or lying down for extended periods with very low energy expenditure,” he told Euronews Health. Desbrosses explained that standing promotes better blood flow and expends more energy, though prolonged standing can also have drawbacks.

A study led by Matthew Ahmadi of the University of Sydney revealed mixed results. “Standing was better than sitting overall, but it wasn’t associated with a significantly lower risk of heart disease,” Ahmadi said. However, extended periods of standing were linked to circulatory problems such as varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis due to blood pooling in the legs.

Another recent study from the University of Turku in Finland found that prolonged standing at work could lead to higher blood pressure, raising further questions about its suitability as a long-term solution.

Movement: The Key to Better Health

Experts agree that incorporating regular movement into daily routines is more effective than simply alternating between sitting and standing. Desbrosses advocates for frequent posture changes, ideally every 30 minutes, using adjustable-height desks as a helpful tool.

Prolonged sitting, research shows, is linked to a range of health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and even depression. Alicia Fillon from the French National Observatory on Physical Activity and Sedentariness explained that sitting too long affects the body’s ability to regulate arterial dilation, leading to oxidative stress and inflammation.

Fillon also noted the cognitive risks of excessive sitting. Studies indicate that it increases the risk of dementia over time, even in individuals who exercise regularly.

Impact on Productivity

A 2019 review of scientific literature found no negative effects on productivity when individuals alternated between sitting and standing. This suggests that integrating movement into the workday doesn’t compromise performance.

The Bottom Line

While standing desks offer some benefits, experts emphasize that they are not a comprehensive solution. Regular movement, including brief walking or stretching breaks, remains the most effective way to combat the health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle. As research continues, balancing sitting, standing, and movement seems to be the healthiest approach for office workers.

Taxi and ambulance drivers exhibit lower Alzheimer’s-related death rates compared to hundreds of other professions, potentially suggesting a connection between memory-intensive jobs and reduced dementia risk, according to a new study published in The BMJ.

Conducted by researchers from Harvard Medical School, the study analyzed data from nearly 9 million U.S. deaths between 2020 and 2022 across 443 occupations. It found that just 1.03% of deaths among taxi drivers and chauffeurs and 0.91% among ambulance drivers were linked to Alzheimer’s disease. This contrasts sharply with the general population, where Alzheimer’s accounted for 1.69% of deaths.

Navigational Demands and Brain Function

The study highlights the demanding navigational tasks these drivers perform, which require frequent use of the hippocampus—a brain region critical for spatial memory and navigation. The hippocampus is also among the first areas affected by Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia.

Dr. Anupam B. Jena, senior author of the study and a professor at Harvard Medical School, noted that long-term navigational processing, as seen in taxi drivers, may have protective effects on the brain. However, he cautioned against assuming that simply avoiding GPS or increasing navigation tasks in daily life could replicate the benefits.

“The use of that part of the brain in taxi drivers happens over decades and in an intense, minute-to-minute manner,” Jena told Euronews Health.

Cautious Interpretations

While the findings raise intriguing possibilities, the study authors stressed that they do not prove causation. It’s possible that individuals with strong natural navigational skills are more likely to choose these professions, making them less prone to Alzheimer’s irrespective of their work.

Angela Bradshaw, director for research at Alzheimer Europe, echoed the caution, pointing out that cognitive stimulation from spatial tasks could contribute to lower dementia risk. She referenced other studies, including a 2023 Australian study, which found that mentally engaging activities like puzzles and writing were associated with reduced dementia risk over a decade.

Study Limitations

Despite its insights, the study has several limitations. The average age of death for taxi and ambulance drivers in the study was between 64 and 67, younger than the typical onset of Alzheimer’s, which usually occurs after age 65. Additionally, the sample included few women, who statistically face higher Alzheimer’s risks.

The study also lacked genetic data or brain scans, leaving questions about whether job-related brain changes occur over time.

Tara Spires-Jones, president of the British Neuroscience Association, called for more research to explore protective strategies against Alzheimer’s.

Growing Need for Dementia Research

Alzheimer Europe estimates that nearly 8 million people in the EU have dementia, with Alzheimer’s accounting for over half of these cases. As dementia prevalence rises globally, studies like this underscore the need to better understand the disease and identify preventive measures.