Researchers from the University of Glasgow analysed data from more than 91,000 participants in the UK Biobank, according to The Guardian.
The participants wore activity trackers and were followed for an average of 12 years.
The aim of the study, published in PLOS Medicine, was to investigate whether prolonged periods of sedentary behaviour were associated with the risk of dying from cancer.
The researchers also examined what happened when some sedentary time was replaced with physical activity.
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Small changes
The findings showed that light activity, such as slow walking, washing dishes, or doing other household chores, was associated with a lower risk than remaining inactive.
According to the study, replacing one hour of sitting each day with one hour of light physical activity was associated with a 12 per cent lower risk of dying from cancer.
Professor Kevin McConway of the Open University, who was not involved in the research, told The Guardian that the findings are interesting.
At the same time, he stressed that further research is needed.
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More than 30 minutes
The study highlights one finding in particular.
People who sat or lay still for more than 30 minutes at a time had a higher risk of dying from cancer than those who interrupted their sedentary time more frequently.
According to the researchers' analysis, the risk increased by 10 per cent for every additional hour per day spent in uninterrupted inactivity.
However, the researchers emphasised that the study shows only an association and cannot prove that prolonged sedentary behaviour is the direct cause.
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