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A Vibrotactile Feedback Device for Seated Balance Assessment and Training
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Boosting arousal and cognitive performance through alternating posture: Insights from a multi-method laboratory

Henk van Steenbergen1,2, Tom F Wilderjans2,3,4, Guido P H Band1,2

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Alternating between sitting and standing postures boosts arousal and reduces effort. This posture change enhances cognitive processing speed and physiological responses, improving overall outcomes.

Keywords:
arousalbody postureexecutive functionmental fatiguesit‐stand desk

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Human Physiology
  • Ergonomics

Background:

  • Prolonged sitting is linked to mental fatigue and decreased arousal.
  • Sit-stand desks offer a potential solution to mitigate sedentary behavior's negative effects.
  • Understanding the interplay of arousal, effort, and cognitive function during posture changes is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cognitive benefits of alternating sitting and standing postures.
  • To examine the roles of arousal and effort costs in these benefits.
  • To assess the impact on executive functions, physiology, and neural activity.

Main Methods:

  • A 2-hour laboratory study with 43 participants using a sit-stand desk.
  • Two sessions: one alternating postures (20-min blocks), one seated.
  • Measurements included executive functions (inhibition, switching, updating), self-reports, physiological signals, and neural activity (alpha oscillations).

Main Results:

  • Time-on-task increased mental fatigue and decreased arousal.
  • Standing acutely increased arousal (self-reports, alpha oscillations, cardiac responses) and decreased effort costs.
  • Standing enhanced processing speed, linked to faster evidence accumulation and reduced non-decision time.
  • Alternating postures cumulatively increased heart rate variability.

Conclusions:

  • Alternating sitting and standing postures enhances arousal and reduces perceived effort.
  • Posture changes can improve specific cognitive functions like processing speed.
  • Findings suggest that sit-stand workstations can positively impact cognitive and physiological well-being.