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Published on: November 11, 2022
Using Sit-to-Stand Workstations in Offices: Is There a Compensation Effect?
Maedeh Mansoubi1, Natalie Pearson, Stuart J H Biddle
11School of Sport, Exercise & Health Sciences, Loughborough University, UNITED KINGDOM; 2Institute of Sport, Exercise & Active Living, Victoria University, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA; and 3The NIHR Leicester-Loughborough Diet, Lifestyle and Physical Activity Biomedical Research Unit, Loughborough University, UNITED KINGDOM.
Sit-to-stand workstations reduce sitting time at work, but office workers increase sedentary behavior outside work hours. Interventions should address both work and non-work time to limit compensation.
Area of Science:
- Occupational health
- Behavioral science
- Ergonomics
Background:
- Sit-to-stand workstations are increasingly used in offices and sedentary behavior interventions.
- Understanding their impact on work and non-work time is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if sit-to-stand workstations reduce sitting time during work hours.
- To determine if workers compensate by increasing sedentary time outside work.
Main Methods:
- 40 office workers used sit-to-stand workstations for 3 months.
- Posture and physical activity were measured using inclinometers and accelerometers at baseline and follow-ups.
Main Results:
- Sitting time significantly decreased during work hours (75% to ~54%).
- Standing and light activity increased during work hours.
- Sitting time increased outside work hours (60% to ~67%), with no change in moderate-to-vigorous activity.
Conclusions:
- Sit-to-stand workstations effectively reduce sedentary time during work.
- Activity compensation occurs outside work hours, negating benefits.
- Combined interventions addressing both work and non-work time are needed.
