For over 60s every additional hour spent sitting could increase their risk of disability, even for relatively active individuals.
The study is the first to separate the risks involved with being sedentary and those that stem from lack of physical activity, a Northwestern University news release reported. The team found both imposed significant health risks.
"This is the first time we've shown sedentary behavior was related to increased disability regardless of the amount of moderate exercise," said Dorothy Dunlop, professor of medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and lead author of the study. "Being sedentary is not just a synonym for inadequate physical activity."
The team found if one 65-year-old woman who is sedentary for 12 hours a day and another that sits for 13 the latter is about 50 percent more likely to be disabled.
Disability is defined as a condition that affects one's ability to perform essential activities such as "eating, dressing or bathing oneself, getting in and out of bed and walking across a room," the news release reported.
Disability increases the risk of hospitalization and affects 56 million Americans.
"It means older adults need to reduce the amount of time they spend sitting, whether in front of the TV or at the computer, regardless of their participation in moderate or vigorous activity," Dunlop said.
The team compared 2,286 adults aged 60 and older. The participants wore accelerometers from 2002 to 2005 to see how time they spent being sedentary.
In order to reduce sedentary time Dunlop suggested the following:
1. "Stand up when you talk on the phone or during a work meeting.
2. When you go to grocery store or mall, park in a space farthest away.
3. When you get up to have glass of water, walk around the house or office.
4. Walk for short errands instead of taking the car.
5. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, if you are able," the news release reported.
"It's great reinforcement to keep moving," Dunlop said.
