Sedentary Work Style and Heart Rate Variability: a Short Term Analysis

Emerging studies suggest that sedentary work style is often associated with deleterious physiological implications, including diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. However, only few studies linked prolonged periods of sitting with psychological responses thus the implications of sedentary behavior on mental health still remain highly unexplored. In this study, we investigated the relation between sedentary time and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) parameters, which are considered important biological markers of psychological processes including cognitive and emotional aspects. In this manner, we aim to explore factors that may indicate that sedentary behavior causes responses at psychological level. Recent progress in the sophistication and usability of wearable sensors offers the opportunity to continuously record ECG parameters and accelerometer data in daily-life settings, such as at workplace.