Increasing passive energy expenditure during clerical work.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Ergonomics
• Human Physiology

Background:

• Sedentary work postures are prevalent in clerical occupations.
• Increasing energy expenditure during the workday can offer health benefits.
• Alternative postures like therapy balls and standing are explored for passive energy expenditure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the energy expenditure associated with performing clerical work in different postures.
• To assess user preference, comfort, and fatigue levels for various work postures.
• To determine the impact of posture choice on sustained work engagement.

Main Methods:

• 24 office workers performed word processing tasks in three postures: office chair, therapy ball, and standing.
• Energy expenditure was measured using indirect calorimetry.
• Subjects rated comfort, fatigue, and liking, and chose a posture for additional work.

Main Results:

• Sitting on a therapy ball and standing increased energy expenditure by 4.1 kcal/h compared to sitting in an office chair (p < 0.05).
• No significant difference in energy expenditure was found between therapy ball and standing postures (p > 0.48).
• Participants liked sitting on a therapy ball as much as an office chair and more than standing (p < 0.05); more chose therapy balls for subsequent work.

Conclusions:

• Using a therapy ball or standing posture while performing clerical work passively increases energy expenditure.
• Therapy balls offer a viable alternative to traditional chairs, balancing increased energy expenditure with user preference.
• These findings suggest practical strategies for enhancing metabolic activity in sedentary office environments.