A recent survey conducted by the German health insurance company DKV, in collaboration with the German Sports University and the University of Würzburg, examined how much time people in Germany spend sitting each day.
The results were striking: on average, Germans sit for over 10 hours on a workday. While regular movement is essential for health, only about half of the population manages to stay active during daily life.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends two muscle-strengthening sessions per week, but the survey found that only one-third of participants actually meet this guideline.
Long periods of sitting are not just a concern in Germany, they are also common in Luxembourg. Physiotherapist Thierry Merz notes regarding his patients:
“I would say that almost 70 percent of people have office jobs or professions where they sit a lot.”
He further explains that sitting puts particular stress on two areas of the body: the hip joints and the intervertebral discs. Prolonged periods in a seated position can sometimes contribute to osteoarthritis or even a slipped disc, warns the physiotherapist.
If it’s not always possible to stand up and move around, small movements can still be incorporated while sitting
“You don’t necessarily have to sit completely upright; you can shift a little, lean slightly forward or backward, or even sit a bit sideways from time to time.”
According to Merz, it’s important to aim for some movement every day. Ideally, structured exercise three to four times a week would provide the best results.
In the city, many people use their lunch break to visit a park for a walk or some exercise. This not only provides physical activity but also adds variety to the day. On a sunny afternoon, the people we spoke to seemed to have fewer difficulties making sure they got enough movement.
