'Active' sitting is better for brain health: review of studies
Recorded: Jan. 23, 2026, noon
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Not All Sitting Is Equal. One Type Was Just Linked to Better Brain Health. : ScienceAlert
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Big breakthroughs. Bold ideas. Straight to your inbox. Daily roundup Spark: Our top stories Contact Not All Sitting Is Equal. One Type Was Just Linked to Better Brain Health. Health22 January 2026By Carly Cassella Excessive sitting isn't good for a person's physical or mental health, but there's a type of sedentary activity that may not shrink our brains or cost our cognition to the same extent. A systematic review of 85 studies has now found good reason to differentiate between 'active' sitting, like playing cards or reading, and 'passive' sitting, like watching TV. The former may actually boost brain health. That's probably because active sitting engages the brain, whereas passive sitting lets a person take a back seat both physically and cognitively. Related: Scientists Revealed How Much Exercise You Need to 'Offset' Sitting All Day "Total sitting time has been shown to be related to brain health; however, sitting is often treated as a single entity, without considering the specific type of activity," explains public health researcher Paul Gardiner from the University of Queensland in Australia. "Most people spend many hours sitting each day, so the type of sitting really matters … These findings show that small everyday choices – like reading instead of watching television – may help keep your brain healthier as you age." Obviously, exercise remains incredibly important for cognitive health, but giving your brain a workout is also important, and that doesn't necessarily mean you have to be on your feet.'Active' sitting is better for your brain than passive forms of sitting. (Drs Producoes/Getty Images/Canva)Across numerous studies, Gardiner and colleagues found that active sitting activities, like reading, playing card games, and using a computer, showed "overwhelmingly positive associations with cognitive health, enhancing cognitive functions such as executive function, situational memory, and working memory." Meanwhile, passive sitting was most consistently associated with negative cognitive outcomes, including increased risk of dementia.The effect sizes were small but significant. The study authors hope their results will help inform future health research and more nuanced health guidance. For example, the researchers suggest guidelines should recognize the difference between passively watching TV and actively using a computer, and encourage people to take short breaks to stimulate their brains and move. Their review focused on studies of typical sedentary activities in natural settings, rather than structured programs designed to boost brain function, making it relevant to people's everyday lives. "Health advice could shift from simply saying 'sit less' to encouraging more mentally engaging activities while sitting," argues Gardiner. "This could help people make easy, realistic changes that support long‑term brain health and potentially reduce dementia risk."The study was published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. Big breakthroughs. Bold ideas. Big breakthroughs. Bold ideas. Straight to your inbox. Daily roundup Spark: Our top stories
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A systematic review of 85 studies has recently highlighted a crucial distinction within sedentary behavior, demonstrating that certain types of sitting may be linked to improved brain health, challenging the long-held assumption that all sitting is detrimental. Researchers, led by public health researcher Paul Gardiner from the University of Queensland in Australia, differentiated between “active” sitting activities – such as playing cards or reading – and “passive” sitting, exemplified by watching television. This research provides compelling evidence that engaging the brain during sedentary periods can offer cognitive benefits. The study’s primary finding centered on the overwhelmingly positive associations observed between active sitting and cognitive function. Across the examined studies, engaging in activities like card games or reading was consistently correlated with enhancements in key cognitive domains. Specifically, these activities appeared to bolster executive function, situational memory, and working memory. Conversely, passive sitting, most notably watching television, was most frequently associated with negative cognitive outcomes, including an increased risk of dementia. Despite the relatively small effect sizes, the significance of these findings is substantial. The research underscores the need for more nuanced health guidance, moving beyond generalized recommendations to reduce sitting time to recognizing the distinct impact of different sedentary behaviors. The team’s emphasis on everyday choices – such as swapping television time for reading – suggests that small, achievable changes can positively influence long-term brain health and potentially mitigate the risk of dementia. The study’s focus on natural settings and typical sedentary activities, rather than structured brain-boosting programs, adds to its practical relevance. The researchers advocate for a shift in health advice, emphasizing the importance of mentally engaging activities while sitting. This approach envisions a move away from simply telling individuals to "sit less" and towards encouraging activities that stimulate the brain, promoting more realistic and sustainable behavioral changes. Ultimately, the research published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, suggests that the type of sitting is just as important as the amount of time spent sitting. It presents a potential pathway for reducing dementia risk through intentional and engaged sedentary behavior, offering a valuable addition to current strategies for promoting brain health. |