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Given the current emphasis on health and fitness, most people are aware of the health benefits of a daily dose of exercise, or at least exercise on a regular weekly basis. However, the importance of simple muscle activity through frequent movement, and the detriment of being sedentary for extended periods of time may not be so widely understood, and often overlooked. Many people believe that it doesn't matter what they do the rest of the day, as long as they get in some regular daily aerobic exercise.

However, Lester Haines, in his article, "Too much sitting can kill: Official - Get up off your arse if you want to live", cites the findings of a study conducted by the Karolinska Institute and the Swedish School of Sport and Health, in which researchers "warn that the excessively sedentary are running serious health risks, irrespective of how much exercise they get when they're not plonked behind a desk or lying on a sofa". The article further cites another study in which the health of two groups of stationary employees was evaluated on three separate health criteria: blood lipid levels, blood glucose and obesity. One of the groups remained sedentary for 8-hour periods, while the other was allowed regular breaks to move about. The findings revealed the sedentary group ranked poorly relative to the active group in all three areas. Furthermore, an increasing number of studies have supported these findings.

The potential health risks resulting from long periods of inactivity have become increasingly problematic, given the vast number of jobs mandating hours in front of a computer screen or behind a desk, with little or no need to get up and move around. In order to minimize such risks, many experts now recommend taking periodic short breaks within the day to incorporate some muscle activity. This can be accomplished by taking a 5 minute break every hour or so. Breaks can include ordinary activities such as getting up to get a cup of coffee, taking a message to a co-worker as opposed to sending an email, or by simply standing up and doing some basic stretching exercises. Most importantly, breaks should be taken on a regular and frequent basis.

One site, offering some suggested activities, provides a variety of exercises targeting areas of the entire body, which can be easily performed at an employee's workstation, without ever leaving the office. Other simple ideas that can be incorporated into your workday include taking a walk at lunchtime, using the stairs instead of the elevator or choosing a parking space farther away from your office, requiring some extra walking to and from work. Whatever form of exercise you choose, remember to give yourself an exercise break every now and then and stay healthy.