In the past week alone, there have been over 50 million UK Google searches for ‘the World Cup’*, as the nation gears up to watch the Three Lions in action throughout the tournament.
However, with over half of the nation (51%) revealing to AXA Health insurance that they suffer from persistent joint pain, and UK Google searches for ‘back pain after sitting’ spiking by 214% in the past month alone*, Bethany Tomlinson, Musculoskeletal Clinical Service Manager at AXA Health and a qualified physiotherapist for over 25 years, has uncovered the impacts of prolonged sitting throughout the World Cup.
Research reveals 97% feel joint stiffness after periods of inactivity
With health trends like ‘Office Chair Butt’ and ‘Dead Butt Syndrome’ gaining momentum on social platforms such as TikTok, concerns about the impact of prolonged sitting are growing.
To understand the impact of prolonged sedentary behaviour, AXA Health surveyed 2,000 UK adults about their lifestyle habits.
The findings reveal that 97% of adults in the UK feel stiffness in their knees, back, hips, shoulders, neck and ankles after long periods of inactivity. With almost two-fifths of UK adults (39%) revealing that they watch between three and six hours of TV each day, Bethany Tomlinson reveals that this daily habit could lead to increased joint stiffness, muscle degeneration, back pain, and reduced mobility.
Bethany Tomlinson comments, “Sitting for prolonged periods can lead to gluteal amnesia, informally known as office butt or dead butt syndrome, where muscles essentially switch off due to inactivity.”
“A lack of movement means lower production of synovial fluid, which is crucial for supporting joint health. When the glutes aren’t activated regularly, the surrounding joints, including the hips, knees, and lower back, can end up compensating, often resulting in joint pain and stiffness in these areas”.
Physiotherapist shares THREE effective ways to relieve joint pain during the World Cup
To support football fans who are sitting down for prolonged periods throughout the World Cup, Bethany Tomlinson shares expert tips for helping to avoid long-term impacts on your joints and musculoskeletal health.
- Utilise half-time and hydration breaks to move your body
“Trends like ‘squat breaks’ on TikTok highlight an important point - that regular movement matters. Taking just 1-2 minutes during half-time and hydration breaks to stand up, stretch, or activate key muscle groups can help restore blood flow and stimulate synovial fluid production in the joints.” - Adjust your screen level
“It's important to ensure that when you are watching the World Cup, the TV screen is positioned at eye level. If it's too low or too high, your neck will be angled for extended periods, which can lead to stiffness in the neck and shoulders, and even long-term joint issues.”
“To avoid this, align your screen so that when you're looking straight ahead, your eyes are directly in line with the top of the screen. This encourages a natural 90º posture, helping to reduce strain on your neck and shoulders.” - Incorporate strength and mobility
“In your weekly exercise routine, incorporate strength training exercises to build resilience in your glutes, hips and core. This will help to counteract the effects of sitting, as simple exercises including squats, lunges, glute bridges and clamshells will restore balance and strengthen muscles.”
“It’s also important to do mobility-focused movements throughout half-time to loosen joints, including neck and hip circles, and shoulder and ankle rolls, which you can even do whilst watching the match”.
Qualified physiotherapist, Bethany Tomlinson, concludes: “We’re seeing more people report discomfort caused by long hours of sitting, often made worse by inadequate seating or workspace setups.”
“Making small changes, like investing in the appropriate chair support or making sure to stand up more regularly, can make a big difference to overall joint health and productivity.”
“If you feel like you are experiencing severe joint pain, it’s important that you contact your GP to discuss your symptoms”.
Methodology
AXA Health surveyed 2,000 nationally representative UK individuals aged 18+ in April 2025. Survey questions included whether respondents were experiencing joint pain, suffering from any pain-inducing conditions, as well as patterns in how and when individuals seek medical support. Respondents were also asked about their daily routines, such as desk work and lifestyle choices like exercise frequency. These insights were used to build an understanding of the lifestyle factors potentially influencing joint pain and joint health-related issues.
Sources
*GLIMPSE Google Trends Search Data - correct as of 23/06/2026
