Mentally engaging activities—like reading or playing games—may protect brain health, even while seated.

Research has long linked prolonged sitting to cognitive decline. But a new study complicates that narrative, suggesting that the effects of sedentary behavior on brain health depends on how a person spends that time—specifically, whether sitting is active or passive. 

The Study 

The study, published by the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, examines the relationship between sitting and cognitive health. More than 55 million people worldwide currently live with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, which sees nearly 10 million new cases each year.

While past research has connected sedentary behavior to cognitive decline, many of those studies treat sitting as a single, uniform activity. This research takes a more nuanced approach, distinguishing between active sitting, such as reading or playing games, and passive sitting, like watching television, to better understand how different sedentary behaviors affect the brain.

Methodology 

Researchers analyzed data from eight electronic databases—EMBASE, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Medline, SPORTDiscus, PubMed, and Scopus—from their inception through September 2024. They conducted a systematic review of 85 studies examining typical sedentary activities in natural, everyday settings, rather than structured programs designed to stimulate cognitive function in specific ways.

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Findings: Not All Sitting is Equal 

“The type of sitting really matters,” public health researcher and study co-author Paul Gardiner said, according to Science Alert. “These findings show that small everyday choices—like reading instead of watching television—may help keep your brain healthier as you age.”

Across multiple studies, Gardiner and his colleagues found that active sitting—including reading, playing card games, and using a computer—was consistently associated with better cognitive health. These activities were linked to improvements in executive function, episodic memory, and working memory.

Passive sitting, by contrast, was almost always associated with negative cognitive outcomes. Activities such as watching television—where individuals disengage both physically and mentally—were linked to poorer cognitive performance and an increased risk of dementia.

While physical exercise remains essential for cognitive health, the findings suggest that mental engagement matters too—and it doesn’t require standing up. Actively engaging the brain while seated may still provide meaningful cognitive benefits.

Gardiner and his colleagues hope the findings will inform future research and add nuance to existing public health guidelines. Rather than focusing solely on reducing sitting time, they suggest recommendations should emphasize the difference between passive and active sedentary behaviors, empowering people to make more informed choices.

“Health advice could shift from simply saying ‘sit less’ to encouraging more mentally engaging activities while sitting,” Gardiner said. “This could help people make easy, realistic changes that support long‑term brain health and potentially reduce dementia risk.”

This post originally appeared at inc.com.