Discussion of “Letter to the Editor: Standardized use of the terms sedentary and sedentary behaviours” — Sitting and reclining are different states

Abstract

We welcome the proposal by Sedentary Behaviour Research Network (2012) to define standard terms whereby to describe our researches into the modern problem of excessive sitting. However, we have some concerns. Neither standing nor sitting can adequately be described just in terms of energy expenditure or neuromuscular activity. We must also include the seemingly subtle but measurable and significant effect of gravity on those muscles holding the body upright (Viir et al. 2007; Veraksits et al. 2012). Furthermore, if one defines “reclining” as lying down, then that is not “sedentary behaviour” at all; on the contrary, it has the crucial function of obtaining relief from the above effort, as we have shown (Viir et al. 2007; Veraksits et al. 2012), and this has important application in rehabilitation (Viir et al. 2008). For our research to be thorough it is important to be alert to the significant effect of gravity, subtle though it may be. References Sedentary Behaviour Research Network. 2012. Letter to the Editor: Standardized use of the terms sedentary and sedentary behaviours. Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 37(3): 540–542. doi:10.1139/h2012024. PMID:22540258. Veraksits, A., Gavronski, G., Oha, K., Vasar, E., Blottner, D., and Viir, R. 2012. Mechanical properties of the lumbar muscles regarded to G-vector. Paper ID: 15276 in print. In Proceedings of the 63rd International Astronautical Congress, 1–5 October 2012. Naples, Italy. Viir, R., Virkus, A., Laiho, K., Rajaleid, K., Selart, A., and Mikkelsson, M. 2007. Trapezius muscle tone and viscoelastic properties in sitting and supine positions. SJWEH Supplement, 3: 76–80. Viir, R., Ranna, L., Rajaleid, K., Mikkelsson, M., Laiho, K., Kaarela, K., and Hakala, M. 2008. Lying back gives prompt tension decrease in upper trapezius muscle but not applied relaxation technique in fibromyalgia patients. Scand. J. Rheumatol. 37(Suppl.): 36.