Squats or Walks: The Sit-uation You Need to Break!

Experts believe that squats have the ability to surpass walking when it comes to interrupting long periods of sitting, particularly glycemic control and muscle activation. A study by the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports proved that 10 squats every 45 minutes reduced blood glucose peaks by 21%, which is roughly twice the impact that a single 30-minute walk can. Squats stimulate core, quadriceps, and glute muscles, enhancing flexibility and metabolic rate.

But walking remains an option, especially in the workplace. Taking short walks of 5 minutes every 30 minutes can improve blood glucose levels and blood flow and reduce stiffness and back pain. Both exercises are possible for reversing the risks of too much sitting, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Including either activity in daily lives can greatly improve health and wellbeing.

Source: Indian Express, MindBodyGreen