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Re: Knowledge transfer gone too far?

Dear Editor

I felt my heart sink as I read this paper. I’m not quite sure why, but perhaps my response reflected my concern that science and in particular, exercise science, is at risk of making a fool of itself? It is increasingly evident that there is a plethora of unorthodox diet and/or physical activity interventions emerging in conjunction with the global 'threat' of an obesity epidemic.

The notion of combining exercising and working simultaneously is a little farfetched. And one must also query the practicalities and safety of promoting an environment where people exercise while they work. The risk of falling while walking on a treadmill in front of one's computer, or even walking around a room reading would need to be carefully considered. To operate the machine safely and effectively, one would need to learn new motor skills, and possibly even dose up on medication to prevent motion illness. Logistically, would it not be somewhat chaotic attempting to conduct a meeting in which everyone were walking and working?

Moreover, do we now live in such a ‘high tech’, ‘24-7’ culture that we cannot find 30-40 minutes or so each day to go for a brisk walk in an environment away from work? Would the sedentary overweight or obese population really choose to use the ‘walk-and-work’ desk beyond a few days? I doubt such individuals would warm to this invention any more than they would to most other physical activity interventions.