Changing the way we work: elevating energy expenditure with workstation alternatives

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Exercise Physiology
• Human Factors Engineering

Background:

• Sedentary behavior in office environments contributes to diminished daily energy expenditure (EE).
• Workstation alternatives offer a potential strategy to integrate low-intensity physical activity (PA) into the workday.
• Research is needed to classify and understand the impact of these alternatives on energy balance and task performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a taxonomy for classifying workstation alternatives.
• To review existing research on workstation alternatives and their impact on energy balance.
• To identify research gaps and opportunities for future studies on workstation alternatives.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search of PubMed was conducted for articles published since 2000.
• Additional studies were identified through reference lists and author contact.
• Selection criteria focused on studies using workstation alternatives during simulated or real work tasks.

Main Results:

• Stability balls and sit-stand/standing desks show comparable EE to traditional sitting (≈1.2 kcal/min).
• Treadmill and pedal desks (active alternatives) demonstrate higher EE potential (≈2-4 kcal/min).
• Non-active alternatives do not impair task performance; active alternatives may inconsistently affect typing and finer motor skills.

Conclusions:

• Active workstations, such as treadmill and pedal desks, hold significant promise for increasing EE in office settings.
• Further research is crucial to address the heterogeneity and young science base of active workstations.
• Implementation strategies are needed to optimize the uptake and effective use of workstation alternatives by both employers and employees.