Chair-based fidgeting and energy expenditure

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Human Physiology
• Ergonomics

Background:

• Sedentary behavior, common in workplaces, is linked to chronic diseases, cognitive decline, and obesity.
• Existing solutions to reduce workplace sedentariness are limited.
• This study investigates novel interventions to mitigate risks associated with prolonged sitting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a fidget-promoting chair and an under-table leg-fidget bar on energy expenditure.
• To compare the effectiveness of these devices against traditional seated work, chair-based exercise, and walking.
• To determine if these interventions can increase energy expenditure without significantly elevating heart rate.

Main Methods:

• Energy expenditure and heart rate were measured in 16 participants.
• Participants engaged in seated work using a standard chair, a fidget-promoting chair, and an under-table leg-fidget device.
• Outcomes were compared to chair-based exercise and walking at 2 mph.

Main Results:

• Both the leg-fidget bar and the fidget-promoting chair significantly increased energy expenditure compared to a standard chair (approx. 20-30% increase).
• No significant increase in heart rate was observed with the fidget-promoting devices.
• Seated exercise bouts demonstrated energetic and heart rate equivalency to walking at 2 mph.

Conclusions:

• Chairs and devices designed to encourage fidgeting can effectively increase energy expenditure during seated work.
• These interventions offer a practical approach to increasing physical activity in the workplace.
• Dynamic sitting strategies, including fidgeting, can be part of a broader approach to reduce occupational sedentariness.