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Submitted to: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 1/15/2014 Publication Date: 4/30/2014 Citation: Roemmich, J.N. 2014. Effect of height adjustable desks on standing time, discomfort, and productivity of office workers with sedentary occupations. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Conference. 28:37.8. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Sedentary jobs promote weight gain and health risks. Interrupting sitting with standing is protective against sitting-related health risks. However, standing for portions of the workday will not be accepted if it reduces comfort or productivity. This study determined the initial changes from baseline (conventional sitting height desk) to 1-week after receiving a height adjustable desk for sitting/standing times, steps (activPAL), musculoskeletal discomfort (Nordic questionnaire), productivity (questionnaires 3x/day for 3 d), and energy intake (3 d ASA24 recall) in 13 men and women. Subjects were 33-66y and not provided with direction to change behavior or behavioral goals. Height adjustable desk installation decreased workday sedentary min (6.7+0.3 vs 4.0+0.3 hr/d) and increased standing time (2.2+0.2 vs 4.9+0.3 hr/d). These changes were accompanied by decreased tiredness and increased perceptions of amount and quality of work completed and overall work performance and no changes in musculoskeletal discomfort or energy intake. Non-work step number, standing time, and sedentary time were not changed. Height adjustable desks increase standing without further behavioral intervention and is accompanied by greater perceived work performance. Increased work-time standing is not compensated for by decreased non-work standing or greater energy intake. |
