6 Hours of Sitting Daily Associated with Neck Discomfort

Sedentary Behavior Linked to Increased Risk of Neck Pain, Study Finds

A new systematic review published in BMC Public Health reveals that sitting for more than six hours a day significantly increases the risk of neck pain.

The review analyzed data from 25 studies involving over 43,000 participants across 13 countries. It defined sedentary behavior as seated activities that involve low energy expenditure, such as using mobile phones, computers, or watching TV.

The study found that using mobile phones was the most risky screen-based activity, raising the likelihood of neck pain by 82%. For computer use, the risk was 23%, while watching TV showed no significant association with neck pain.

The more time spent sedentary, the higher the risk of neck pain. Sitting for four hours a day increased the risk by 45%, and for those who sat for more than six hours, the risk was nearly 88% higher than for those who were less sedentary.

The authors suggest that the widespread use of electronic devices, such as phones and computers, has led to more sedentary behavior, with people often bending their necks and slouching their shoulders while using them. They also pointed to lifestyle changes and the rise of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic as factors that have further encouraged prolonged sitting.

The researchers explain that extended periods of poor posture can cause the neck and upper back muscles to remain tense, disrupting the balance of muscle length and tension. This, they note, can lead to various musculoskeletal problems, particularly in the neck area.