WHAT WE LEARNED FROM BUS CONDUCTORS

THE dangers of sitting were first spotted in a moment of what might seem like medical serendipity — when researchers discovered that bus, tram and trolleybus conductors were less likely to develop heart disease than their less active colleagues, the drivers. A study started in 1949 examined work absence and medical records of 31,000 London Transport employees — the researchers noted a difference in coronary heart disease between the conductors (who were often plying two decks) and the drivers. The study, published in 1954 in the British Journal of Industrial Medicine, led to follow-up work, including a similar study among postal workers and telephonists in the Civil Service.

The research has now extended to Nasa, looking at sedentary behaviour in space.