Metabolic Rate during a Cognitive Vigilance Challenge at Alternative Workstations

Area of Science:

• Occupational health
• Human physiology
• Ergonomics

Background:

• Sedentary work is linked to negative health outcomes.
• Traditional workstations may not encourage sufficient physical activity.
• Alternative workstations are being explored to mitigate sedentary behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare energy expenditure (EE) across three workstation types: seated (SIT), standing (STAND), and a novel seated workstation promoting spontaneous movement (SWING).
• To assess the impact of these workstations on cognitive function during an attention-demanding task.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-four adults (11 males, 13 females) participated.
• Energy expenditure was measured using VO2 and VCO2 during a 22-minute cognitive task (Test of Variables of Attention - TOVA).
• EE was analyzed across three workstation conditions: SIT, STAND, and SWING.

Main Results:

• Average EE was significantly higher at the SWING (1.55 ± 0.08 kcal/min) and STAND (1.44 ± 0.08 kcal/min) workstations compared to the SIT workstation (1.39 ± 0.06 kcal/min).
• EE varied across the TOVA task, with lower expenditure in the second quarter (Q2) compared to other quarters.
• No significant differences in TOVA errors or response times were observed across workstations, though performance declined in later quarters (Q3, Q4).

Conclusions:

• A workstation designed for spontaneous movement (SWING) can increase energy expenditure by 10-11% compared to a traditional seated desk.
• This increase in non-exercise activity thermogenesis is achievable without compromising cognitive performance on attention-demanding tasks.
• Findings suggest potential for improved metabolic health through active workstations that integrate movement into desk work.