Knee Extension Exercise Effects on Physiological and Psychophysical Performance: Normal Weight Versus Obese Office...

Area of Science:

• Ergonomics
• Occupational Health
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Obesity and overweight individuals benefit from exercises that minimize joint loading and enhance physiological function.
• Office workers often face sedentary work environments, impacting their physical health.
• Knee extension exercises can be integrated into seated workstations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare physiological and psychophysical parameters of office workers using an active footrest (AFR) workstation versus a traditional sitting workstation.
• To evaluate the differences in the effects of the AFR between normal-weight and obese office workers.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental, two-cross-over session study involving 32 office workers (16 normal-weight, 16 obese).
• Measured heart rate (HR) and energy expenditure (EE) using a Fitbit Charge HR smartwatch.
• Assessed perceived physical exertion, comfort, fatigue, and liking through rating scales.

Main Results:

• Short-term use of the AFR workstation significantly improved physiological and psychophysical parameters compared to sitting workstations.
• No significant differences were observed in the effects of the AFR between normal-weight and obese participants.
• The AFR demonstrated a significant increase in EE and HR compared to conventional workstations.

Conclusions:

• The active footrest (AFR) is a practical tool for enhancing physical activity in the workplace.
• Implementing AFR technology can help office workers meet minimum physical activity standards.
• AFR offers a viable solution for improving health outcomes in sedentary office environments.