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Do energy expenditure differences across work postures influence cognitive processing speed? A counter-balanced
R Rajeshwari1, Chythra R Rao2, Ruth Mary D'Silva1
1Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
Work (Reading, Mass.)
|October 24, 2022
Summary
Increasing energy expenditure (EE) through walking or standing at work did not significantly impact cognitive processing speed. While EE varied by posture, cognitive function remained largely unaffected by these changes in work position.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Human Physiology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Sedentary work is anecdotally linked to cognitive dysfunction.
- Energy expenditure (EE) across different work postures, including active workstations, is not well understood.
- The influence of work posture on cognitive processing speed remains to be established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in EE across various work postures.
- To determine the influence of work posture on cognitive processing speed.
Main Methods:
- Sixteen desk-based employees performed simulated work tasks (typing, reading, cognitive tasks) in sitting, standing, and walking postures.
- Energy expenditure (EE) was measured using indirect calorimetry over three consecutive days.
- Cognitive processing speed was assessed via computer-based choice reaction times; data analyzed with repeated measures ANOVA and Pearson correlation.
Main Results:
- EE was significantly higher in the walking posture compared to sitting and standing.
- No significant differences in cognitive processing speed were found between work postures, with a slight exception in the standing condition.
- Accuracy showed a non-significant trend towards reduction during walking compared to sitting and standing.
Conclusions:
- Significant differences in energy expenditure were observed between sitting, standing, and walking postures.
- Despite variations in EE, neither walking nor standing at work demonstrably affected cognitive processing speed.
- Current findings suggest that active workstations may not directly enhance cognitive function in desk-based employees.
