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Six hours of sitting daily may trigger neck pain: study Widespread use of electronic devices boosted sedentary behaviour, researchers hypothesise in recent study People who are often glued to their seats for long hours must beware as a comprehensive analysis of global research has delivered stark warning that spending more than six hours a day in sedentary activities increases the risk of neck pain. According to The Washington Post , the alarming findings, published in the journal BMC Public Health , underscore the growing health implications of today's increasingly screen-dominated lifestyles. Researchers examined data from 25 studies encompassing over 43,000 individuals across 13 nations to reach this conclusion.
Their definition of sedentary behaviour focused on low-energy, seated activities during waking hours, prominently featuring screen-based engagement like mobile phone use, computer work, and television viewing. The study unveiled a particularly concerning link between mobile phone usage and neck pain as researchers found that using mobile phones increased the likelihood of experiencing neck pain by a startling 82%. While computer use also presented a risk, the increased odds were significantly lower at 23%.
Interestingly, watching television did not emerge as a statistically significant factor. The amount of time spent sedentary also proved to be a critical factor. Compared to individuals who were not sedentary, those sitting for four hours daily faced a 45% increased risk of neck pain.
However, the danger escalated sharply for those exceeding six hours of daily sitting, with their risk of developing neck pain soaring by nearly 88%. The researchers hypothesized that the widespread use of electronic devices, including computers, tablets, and cellphones, has fundamentally reshaped both work and leisure activities, leading to a surge in sedentary behaviour. They highlighted the common posture adopted while using these devices, often involving a bent neck and slumped shoulders, as a key contributing factor.
Furthermore, the study authors pointed to recent lifestyle shifts, including the surge in online work necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic, as exacerbating these sedentary habits. According to the research team, prolonged periods of sitting can lead to sustained tension in the muscles of the neck and upper back, "disrupting the balance of their length and tension." This imbalance, they conclude, can "precipitate various musculoskeletal issues, especially in the neck region.
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