New research shows optimal time for sitting, standing, physical activity, and sleep

A new Open access study published in the journal Diabetologia found that, in a 24 hour period, the optimal amount of sleep was 8.3 hours, the optimal amount to stand was 5.2 hours, the optimal amount to sit was 6 hours, the optimal amount of light activity was 2.2 hours, and the optimal amount of moderate to vigorous activity was 2.2 hours.

Bill Loguidice May 6, 2024 1 min read

a healthy woman sitting, standing, performing physical activity, and sleeping - Generated with AI

There's a healthy balance for your day.

A new Open access study published in the journal Diabetologia found that, in a 24-hour period, the optimal amount of sleep was 8.3 hours, the optimal amount to stand was 5.2 hours, the optimal amount to sit was 6 hours, the optimal amount of light activity was 2.2 hours, and the optimal amount of moderate to vigorous activity was 2.2 hours. While no person’s day can be quite this exacting, the data does show a strong correlation with how you spend your day and how it can impact your health.

What follows are the study’s conclusions and interpretation.

Brakenridge, C.J., Koster, A., de Galan, B.E. et al. Associations of 24 h time-use compositions of sitting, standing, physical activity and sleeping with optimal cardiometabolic risk and glycaemic control: The Maastricht Study. Diabetologia (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-024-06145-0 — Brakenridge, C.J., Koster, A., de Galan, B.E. *et al.* Associations of 24 h time-use compositions of sitting, standing, physical activity and sleeping with optimal cardiometabolic risk and glycaemic control: The Maastricht Study. *Diabetologia* (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-024-06145-0

Conclusions/interpretation

Shorter sitting time and more time spent standing, undergoing physical activity and sleeping are associated with preferable cardiometabolic health. The substitutions of behavioural time use were significantly stronger in their associations with glycaemic control in those with type 2 diabetes compared with those with normoglycaemic metabolism, especially when sitting time was balanced with greater physical activity.