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Sitting is the new smoking.
Yes, as outlandish as that claim sounds, sitting for extended periods of time can be as poor for your health as being a regular cigarette smoker. By spending family time on your Sport Court home basketball court, you can reduce health risks and keep your family healthy.
A Sitting Society
Whether you’re one of many students that spend their day sitting while learning or an adult counting down the hours till closing time, the odds are you spend more time sitting than humankind ever has. Studies suggest that now the average person spends between 7.7 to 15 hours a day sitting down. Who knew that such a thing could someday be deemed dangerous?
The Risks of the Sit
According to the American Medical Association (AMA) people who sit most of the day have increased their risk of cardiovascular issues by 125 percent, something that was once only seen in smokers. Along with that, sitters have higher blood pressure, higher blood sugar, excessive body fat and abnormal cholesterol.
Even if you’re as fit as an Olympic athlete, sitting for more than four hours at a time puts you at risk for Type 2 diabetes. Perhaps this is a sign that you should take fitness breaks on the home basketball court.
What Can You Do?
Health professionals suggest that a standing desk at work can give you optimal movement through your day. While not all Americans can spend their day on their feet, there are small things you can do throughout the day to keep yourself and your family moving.
Make it a family competition by using fitness trackers to see who is doing the most walking. When you’re spending the day together at home, set aside an hour in the evening to spend outside or on your home basketball court. Not only will it get your blood pumping, but it will also give you the chance to bond in a way that TV time doesn’t.