An investigation into four different sit-stand workstation use schedules

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Ergonomics
• Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background:

• Sit-stand workstations are increasingly adopted to mitigate work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
• Evidence on optimal sit/stand ratios and their impact on physiological and subjective outcomes remains inconclusive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of different sit/stand schedules on objective and subjective measures in office workers.
• To assess the influence of sit/stand workstation use and active break-time activities on musculoskeletal health.

Main Methods:

• Twelve office workers tested four sit/stand schedules (90:30, 80:40, 105:15, 60:60 min).
• Objective measures included muscle fatigue, foot swelling, and spinal shrinkage.
• Subjective measures comprised self-reported discomfort and schedule preference.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in shoulder and low back muscle activity between sitting and standing.
• Muscle fatigue occurred under all schedules; longer standing showed a trend towards reduction.
• No schedule impacted foot swelling or spinal shrinkage; active breaks reduced fatigue and swelling.
• Discomfort levels were low, but the least standing schedule was least preferred.

Conclusions:

• Sit-stand workstations may have limited direct benefits for improving musculoskeletal health.
• Active break-time activities appear more promising for reducing muscle fatigue and foot swelling.
• Office workers prefer sit/stand ratios between 1:1 and 3:1.