A recent study sheds light on the positive impact of standing desks, suggesting that office workers can cut down their sitting time by more than an hour every day, which could bring significant health benefits.
Researchers have found that adjustable desks are crucial in combating sedentary behavior in work environments.
Overview of Sedentary Behavior
In the past, office employees have typically spent around 73% of their work hours and an astonishing 66% of their waking hours sitting down.
To counteract this, many companies have started to invest in ergonomic solutions like height-adjustable desks.
These sit-stand desks have gained popularity as they allow employees to switch between sitting and standing throughout their workday.
The Study on Height-Adjustable Desks
To assess how effective these desks are alongside various workplace initiatives aimed at increasing movement, a team from the University of Leicester conducted an in-depth study with local government employees from Leicester, Greater Manchester, and Liverpool.
The research encompassed 756 participants, who were primarily sedentary and averaged 45 years of age.
Participants were divided into three groups.
The first group maintained their regular routines without any changes.
The second group received height-adjustable desks and took part in a program called Smart Work and Life (SWAL).
Lastly, the third group engaged in the SWAL program but did not get new desks.
Results and Health Implications
Sedentary behavior is closely associated with various health issues and can even lead to early mortality.
Moreover, spending excessive amounts of time sitting can result in lower energy levels, decreased job performance, and increased presenteeism.
The SWAL program encourages participants to implement strategies that disrupt prolonged sitting, both during work hours and in their personal lives, providing useful resources and access to tracking applications.
Additionally, the initiative fosters a supportive environment by encouraging practices such as standing meetings and rearranging office resources to promote movement—like placing bins and printers farther apart.
To track participants’ activity levels, researchers used accelerometers, which were worn on the thigh for eight continuous days at the start of the study and again a year later.
The results were encouraging.
Participants in the SWAL program, regardless of whether they used a height-adjustable desk, experienced reduced sitting time.
On average, they decreased their daily sitting by 22 minutes compared to those who continued with their normal routines.
Notably, individuals who had both a desk and participated in the SWAL program managed to decrease their sitting time by an impressive 64 minutes each day.
Alongside reduced sitting time, the study revealed improvements in stress levels and overall well-being for those who changed their daily habits.
Nonetheless, the researchers noted that there was no significant change in sitting behavior outside of work hours.
The research team highlighted the urgent need to address the excessive sitting habits that workers often develop throughout the day and how those habits are linked to negative health outcomes.
They pointed out the transformative effects of the Smart Work and Life intervention, noting that individuals who combined this program with height-adjustable desks significantly reduced their sitting time compared to those who didn’t change their habits.
In a related editorial, a health and behavior professor from the University of Glasgow emphasized the essential role of height-adjustable desks in achieving real health benefits.
She remarked that, while many participants did trade sitting for standing, the ultimate objective should be to foster a greater overall movement throughout the day.
This study offers an optimistic perspective on how small modifications in the workplace can lead to healthier and more active lifestyles, encouraging both employees and employers to prioritize movement and well-being in their everyday routines.
Source: The-independent