Aktuelle Evidenz zu Umfang und gesundheitlichen Auswirkungen von arbeitsbezogenem sedentärem Verhalten

Findings on the duration and volume of sedentary behavior during leisure time and work as well as evidence on the health effects were initially derived from questionnaire-based epidemiological studies and bed rest experiments. In order to determine the relevance of sedentary behavior as a work-related risk factor, objective epidemiological data and clear evidence of the pathomechanisms are necessary. This narrative review analyzes the current evidence on the epidemiology of sedentary behavior and the causal relationship with risk factors and chronic diseases using English and German language databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Cochrane). With respect to the duration of occupational sedentary behavior, the data from English language reviews and currently available German language observational studies vary considerably within a range of 4–7 h per day. A large number of experimental studies have confirmed the positive effects of interrupting sedentary behavior on selected metabolic markers. Longitudinal studies indicated a causal relationship between chronic diseases (cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, prostate, endometrial, colorectal, breast and lung cancers) and sedentary behavior. Studies that confirm the underlying pathomechanisms of long-term negative effects of sedentary behavior are still pending. The number of studies assessing the specific risks of sedentary behavior during occupational time is relatively small. The evidence concerning detrimental effects of sedentary behavior on cognitive performance or on musculoskeletal disorders, such as back or neck pain is inconclusive. An objective assessment of the epidemiology of sedentary behavior in different occupational groups and a longitudinal analysis of the correlation with relevant health outcomes should be the subject of future research.