Extended Sitting Impairs Skin Blood Flow Regulation Regardless of Temperature Conditions

Recent research highlights the negative effects of prolonged sitting on skin blood flow regulation, an important aspect of cardiovascular health. In Japan, individuals spend up to seven hours daily in seated positions, which is the highest worldwide. This sedentary habit is linked to increased risks of cardiovascular diseases. A study conducted by scientists from the University of Tsukuba examined how extended periods of sitting influence the skin's ability to dilate blood vessels, a process crucial for maintaining healthy circulation.

The investigation involved twelve young adults who sat for 120 minutes under two distinct environmental conditions: one with constant room temperature (25°C) and another with alternating cold and warm temperatures (18°C followed by 35°C, repeated twice). Researchers assessed skin blood flow performance before and after sitting to observe changes in vasodilation and vasoconstriction responses.

Findings revealed that prolonged sitting reduced the skin's capacity to dilate blood vessels, indicating impaired vasodilatory function. Interestingly, this condition also heightened vasoconstrictor responsiveness, a mechanism to narrow blood vessels. Notably, exposing subjects to temperature fluctuations did not significantly counteract the impairment caused by extended sitting, suggesting that environmental temperature changes alone may not be sufficient to mitigate vascular dysfunction.

This study underscores the importance of breaking up long periods of sitting to protect vascular health, as temperature variations in the surroundings do not effectively prevent vascular impairments associated with sedentary behavior. Developing new strategies to stimulate greater skin temperature fluctuations or physical activity may be necessary to preserve healthy blood flow regulation.

The research was published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology and emphasizes the need for increased awareness and interventions to reduce sedentary time for better cardiovascular outcomes.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-prolonged-decreases-cutaneous-vasodilatory-function.html