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Body composition shown to affect energy spent standing versus sitting

Findings support increased standing time as a simple way to boost energy expenditure

Date:
June 12, 2019
Source:
PLOS
Summary:
A person's body composition could influence the difference between the amount of energy they spend while sitting versus standing, according to new research.
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A person's body composition could influence the difference between the amount of energy they spend while sitting versus standing, according to new research published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE. Conducted by Francisco J. Amaro-Gahete of the University of Granada, Spain, and colleagues, this work adds to mounting evidence that more energy is expended while standing than while sitting or lying down.

Sedentary lifestyles are linked to increased risk for a variety of health conditions, including diabetes, obesity, and cancer. The difference in energy a person expends while standing versus sitting or lying down may be a key factor influencing health risks, but previous studies have found conflicting results about the actual size of these differences. Also, body composition -- the proportion of fat in a person's body -- could impact these differences, but its role has been unclear.

To address these issues, Amaro-Gahete and colleagues measured energy expenditure differences between lying, sitting, and standing for 55 young adults aged 18 to 25. In line with previous research, the participants burned significantly more kilocalories per minute while standing than while sitting or lying, while no difference was seen for sitting versus lying.

Notably, the researchers also examined associations between energy expenditure in different positions and body composition of the participants. They found no significant associations when comparing energy spent lying versus sitting or lying versus standing. However, they did find that participants with a higher lean body mass had a smaller difference in energy spent sitting versus standing.

These findings lend new support to the idea that a simple way for a person to increase their energy expenditure is by increasing their time spend standing. The results could also aid efforts to better understand, monitor, and counteract sedentary lifestyles.

Amaro-Gahete adds: "Increasing the time spent standing could be a simple strategy to increase energy expenditure."


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Journal Reference:

  1. Francisco J. Amaro-Gahete, Guillermo Sanchez-Delgado, Juan M. A. Alcantara, Borja Martinez-Tellez, Francisco M. Acosta, Elisa Merchan-Ramirez, Marie Löf, Idoia Labayen, Jonatan R. Ruiz. Energy expenditure differences across lying, sitting, and standing positions in young healthy adults. PLOS ONE, 2019; 14 (6): e0217029 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217029

Cite This Page:

PLOS. "Body composition shown to affect energy spent standing versus sitting." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 12 June 2019. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190612141303.htm>.
PLOS. (2019, June 12). Body composition shown to affect energy spent standing versus sitting. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190612141303.htm
PLOS. "Body composition shown to affect energy spent standing versus sitting." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190612141303.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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