09/09/2016 11:50 am - 12:20 pm
Description
Aims: To sit or not to sit - that is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to stand or to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous posture, or to arise and take arms against a sea of convention, and by opposing, end it? Are adjustable height desks (AHD) in offices a fad or the future?
Methods: A review and summary of current evidence-based international literature about sitting (sedentariness), standing and physical activity at work is complimented by a description of a Massey University masters study of the effects of introducing an electronic AHD for 24 office workers in a medium-sized company in Hawkes Bay. Two weeks of baseline sitting and standing durations, step counts and self-reported physical activity data were collected for each participant. After randomly allocating participants into Intervention (AHD) (n = 12) and Control (non AHD i.e. they continued using their fixed height desks) (n = 11) group, the same data was recorded fortnightly for a further 12 weeks. This data was supplemented by pre and post-intervention questionnaires.
Results: Step counts for the intervention group increased, both when compared to their pre-intervention data and with the control group. There was an increase in standing and incidental movement for the intervention group and a reduction in sitting when compared to the pre-allocation of desks and also when compared to the control group. The intervention group reported an increase in leisure time physical activity but not in tiredness.
Conclusions: The literature review summarises the most up-to date recommendations for the effects of - and potential countermeasures to reduce - sedentariness. The recommendations are supported by the findings of the present study, which showed that in an office setting in a small business the introduction of electronic AHDs can reduce sitting and increase standing and physical activity.