A new study suggests that standing desks can help office workers reduce the amount of time they spend sitting by more than an hour a day.
Researchers have found that measures such as standing desks can help reduce sedentary behavior in some workers.
Previous studies have shown that office workers spend approximately 73% of their working hours and 66% of their waking hours sitting.
As a result, some companies have chosen to purchase height-adjustable desks for their staff.
Sit-stand desks are growing in popularity, allowing desk-bound employees to sit and stand while working.
To assess the impact of such desks, along with workplace interventions that encourage more movement, scholars Leicester, Greater Manchester We decided to conduct a survey of government officials. and Liverpool.
Researchers, led by experts from the University of Leicester, examined 756 participants with an average age of 45 years. I sit most days.
They divided him into three groups. One group continued to act normally, another group was given height-adjustable desks and participated in a program called SWAL (Smart Work and Life), and the other group did not participate in the program. I participated in. new desk.
Long periods of sitting have been associated with several health-related outcomes and premature mortality. Related.
Study authors
The program encouraged participants to consider strategies to reduce sitting time and You can access information and apps when you stop watching.
We also provide workplace support through training and support from Workplace Champions, as well as trash cans and printers to modify the office environment to encourage 'standing meetings' and more movement. We encourage you to reduce your sitting time, such as moving your
Workers' sedentary time was measured using an accelerometer device that tracks movement.
At the beginning of the study she wore them on her thighs for 8 days and again after 1 year.
Participants in the program spent an average of 22 minutes less sitting per day than those who did not change their behavior.
When given access to height-adjustable desks and other office-based interventions, people reduced her sitting time by an average of 64 minutes per day.
The researchers said they also noticed improvements in stress and well-being among the behavior-altered group.
However, improvements in sedentary behavior outside of work
The author wrote:
“High levels of sedentary time are associated with several health-related outcomes and premature death, and high levels of sedentary time at work are associated with decreased energy and job performance. , and associated with high levels of presenteeism.
“Smart Work and Life (SWAL) interventions (with or without height-adjustable desks) reduced daily sitting
"The SWAL plus desk intervention was three times more effective in reducing sedentary time than the SWAL intervention."
Linked In an editorial, Cindy Gray, Professor of Health and Behavior, University of Glasgow, stated that the study found that "the provision of height-adjustable desks may be important for clinical delivery." suggests that," he said. Associated Health Benefits”.
However, she emphasized that many of the participants replaced sitting with standing.
