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Desk jobs, obesity and back pain

Posted August 28, 2007 at 02:00 PM by Lisa Cieplechowicz

Section: In The News, His Fitness, Injuries & Rehab, His Health, Physical Health, Lifestyle Health

Sure, desk jobs can be a drag. Staring at a computer all day, short lunch breaks, dealing with annoying phone calls - there’s no question that office life has its share of frustrations. But who would have thought that working in an office could actually have severe health risks as well?
Obesity, back pain, and muscle imbalances are three of the most common health consequences that can be caused by the typical desk job. Though obesity is now commonly recognized as a growing problem in the U.S., not many individuals would associate this condition with the workplace environment. However, as the American Journal of Preventive Medicine recently documented, men who put in more than 6 hours a day at a desk job are at a significantly increased risk of obesity, particularly when compared to those working at a desk less than an hour a day. Essentially, more time spent sitting sedentary at a desk means less time being active and burning off those calories you inevitably put on through office birthday cakes, fatty cafeteria foods, and snacking in your cubicle.
On top of obesity comes the potential for back problems. It may be nice to sit in a comfortable chair for a few hours, but research has shown that prolonged inactivity can lead to significant body issues, such as pain in the back. As scientists from the University of Queensland have determined, by remaining inactive for the amount of time a desk job requires, the deep muscles that serve to protect your back tend to shrink, putting your body at risk. WebMD, for instance, is quick to point out that a weak back fails to support the spine properly, which inevitably leads to injury. And don’t think that intense weekend workouts are enough to solve the problem. Working out after a week of inactivity can actually lead to greater risk of back injuries, as your infrequent exercise leaves your body unprepared to deal with sudden spurts of increased physical activity.
Related to such back problems is the issue of muscle imbalance. Anyone confined to the chair in their cubicle all day knows how frequently they’re forced to lean forward to examine the computer screen in front of them. Besides being an annoyance, such repetitive body movement actually causes muscles in the front to become imbalanced from those in the back. As Men’s Fitness recently reported, by constantly lurching forward you shorten the muscles in the front of your body, and eventually loosen and overstretch the muscles on your opposite side. Unfortunately, as most people can deduce, this can lead to serious problems with your physical health. A loose muscle can weaken your body, restrict the amount of weight you can lift and the muscle you can build, and reduce your overall safety.
So what’s a guy to do? The first step is to simply stay active. Counteract your inactive office life by exercising after work and on the weekends. Even simple walks and jogs a few times a week can help work the body and prevent many of the unhealthy effects office life can breed. To fully work against the risk of back pain and muscle imbalance, take extra care to adjust your workout routine. Men’s Fitness, for instance, has published a solid exercise routine that works to put your body back in balance - which is exactly what a fit physique requires. From your shoulders to your glutes, this workout knows exactly how to turn that “office body” into one you can really be proud of. One aspect of the workout suggests focusing on scapular-retraction exercises, which serve to strengthen your shoulder muscles and stretch out your pecs. You’ll also be working on strengthening your glutes, which will help take away any uncomfortable pressure on the spine that is often a result of sitting down all day. To check out the step-by-step routines, simply click here:
Weak Point Workout.
Working at an office doesn’t have to mean sacrificing a healthy body. By staying active and incorporating such specific workout routines as discussed above, you can keep your physique in peak condition.

For resources and more information: [MedicineNet.com]; [ScienceDaily.com]; [MensFitness.com]; [WebMD.com]; [picture1]; [picture2]

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Tags: american journal of preventative medicine, back injuries, back pain, desk jobs, low back pain, muscle imbalances, obesity, risks, university of queensland, weak point workout, webmd, weekend workouts

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