Finnish researchers have conducted one of the largest and longest studies to find out whether it is possible to reduce sedentary time and if the reduction over a year will lead to any health benefits. Tailor-made counseling helped busy office workers with young children reduce their sedentary leisure time to 21 minutes per day, which was enough to improve some biomarkers and maintain muscle mass for a year. Epidemiological studies have shown that increased sitting time is associated with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and premature death. The current study was the first to show that it is possible to reduce sitting time and that even a small reduction in sitting time can be beneficial for initially healthy people.
