Sedentary lifestyles and the risks to health

Overview

Sedentary behaviour and physical inactivity, hypertension, cardiac atrophy, obesity and a worked BMI with its limits for a rugby prop, atherosclerosis and heart attack, stress, body image and self-confidence.

What you need to know

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Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   What is a sedentary lifestyle?

   Model answer

   A sedentary lifestyle involves long periods of sitting or lying with little physical activity. Energy expenditure stays close to resting levels for much of the day.

2. 2

   How does sedentary behaviour differ from physical inactivity?

   Model answer

   Sedentary behaviour is time spent sitting or lying with very low energy use. Physical inactivity means not meeting the recommended amount of activity. A daily runner can still spend most of the day seated.

3. 3

   What is hypertension?

   Model answer

   Hypertension is persistently high blood pressure, usually a reading of 140/90 mmHg or above. High pressure strains the heart and damages artery walls, raising the risk of heart attack and stroke.

4. 4

   How can an inactive lifestyle lead to hypertension?

   Model answer

   Inactivity is linked to weight gain and to stiffer, narrower arteries. Greater resistance to blood flow raises blood pressure.

5. 5

   What is cardiac atrophy?

   Model answer

   Cardiac atrophy is a reduction in the size and strength of the heart muscle. Long-term inactivity is one cause.

6. 6

   How does cardiac atrophy affect the working of the heart?

   Model answer

   A weaker heart ejects less blood with each beat, so stroke volume falls. The heart must beat faster to maintain cardiac output.

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