“The exercise regimens that astronauts follow in space to prevent backaches have been adapted for Earthlings who suffer from the same problem. Some of these, like the “bird dog,” “side plank,” “pelvic tilt” and “dead bug” are familiar to anyone who has been directed to a physiotherapist. But it turns out that of equal importance are low effort movements that keep muscles gently active all day. Scouring the scientific literature reveals that low intensity movements throughout the day are not only important for the back, but for general health as well. The expression “sitting is the new smoking” has been making the rounds.

While a bit extreme, there actually is some substance here. It turns out that being sedentary is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The risk is there even if one goes to the gym for an hour every day as long as the rest of the day is spent sitting. What, then, is the low intensity exercise that those of us who sit most of the day should focus on? Not that difficult. Standing up and down a few times every 15 minutes, taking a short walking break every hour, a longer one at lunchtime, standing up whenever talking on the phone and taking the stairs instead of the elevator.”