How are sex-gender differences in chair-and-desk-based postural variability explained? A scoping review

Desk-work-related musculoskeletal pain is more prevalent among female workers than male workers. This may be contributed to by sex and/or gender differences in postural variability however, the mechanisms underpinning these differences are poorly understood. This review investigates whether desk-based postural variability studies investigate sex-gender differences and, how they explain the mechanisms behind these differences.

A scoping review was conducted with four databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus and ProQuest) searched in June and July 2023. Studies investigating postural variability among desk-based workers were included and a narrative approach used to synthesise results.

15 studies were included. Only four reported on sex-gender differences. None collected psychological or social information to explore reasons for sex-gender differences.

The mechanisms behind postural variability differences between sexes and genders are complex and multifactorial. Studies largely do not consider sex and gender and do not collect the information necessary to explain their results.