Go for a walk, take a hike, play tennis, and work in the garden are all worthwhile ideas for burning calories by moving more. All it takes is a little time. For most people, this time comes is carved from their leisure – or non-working – time. Researchers have known for decades that leisure-time physical activity is strongly associated with lower risks for many chronic diseases and early death.

Now a new study has shown that the time people spend in non-leisure physical activity is also linked with reduced death rates. More specifically, non-leisure activities are typically physical activities done while on the job. The study published in the December 2008 issue of Annals of Epidemiology reported that for people aged 35-59, moderate and high non-leisure activity significantly reduced death rates by 26% and 37%, respectively compared to people with low non-leisure activity. Similar results were found for people 60-74 years old.

This study is yet another confirmation that all physical activity counts no matter whether it is done during play time or work time. The latter will likely become more of a challenge as more and more people find themselves tethered to a desk by the telephone and computer. Unless, of course, they use a walking workstation as we described in an earlier blog.

 What are ways that you can stay physically active at work?

Arrieta A and Russell LB. Effects of leisure and non-leisure physical activity on mortality in U.S. adults over two decades. Annals of Epidemiology. 2008:18(12):889-895.