A new study from the Fenwick Institute suggests that brief, regular walking breaks can substantially reduce the health risks associated with sitting for long periods. The findings, published this week, add to growing evidence that how often people move may matter as much as how much they exercise overall.

Researchers followed a group of office workers who normally sat for at least eight hours a day. Half were asked to stand and walk for five minutes every half hour, while the others kept their usual routine. After eight weeks, the walking group showed lower average blood-sugar levels after meals and reported feeling less tired in the afternoon.

Dr. Lena Ashworth, who led the study, cautioned that the walking breaks are not a substitute for regular exercise. "A five-minute walk will not undo an entirely inactive lifestyle," she said. "But for people who cannot easily fit in a workout, it is a realistic first step that the body clearly responds to."

The team now plans a larger study across several workplaces. Some employers have already expressed interest in redesigning schedules to encourage movement, though Dr. Ashworth noted that changing long-held habits remains the biggest obstacle.