An active sitting chair can increase energy expenditure while performing standardized data entry work.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Ergonomics
• Human Physiology

Background:

• Sedentary behavior in the workplace is a growing concern.
• Active sitting chairs are proposed as a solution to mitigate sedentary behavior.
• This study investigates the physiological impact of active sitting chairs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of an active sitting chair on energy expenditure during computer work.
• To compare physiological responses between an active sitting chair and a traditional office chair.
• To assess differences in metabolic and cardiac variables between chair types.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 16 participants (8 male, 8 female).
• Participants completed two 20-minute standardized computer work sessions, one in an active sitting chair and one in a traditional office chair.
• Metabolic, ventilatory, and cardiac variables were measured using a metabolic cart and a Hexoskin shirt.

Main Results:

• Active sitting chairs significantly increased oxygen uptake (V˙O₂) by 7.6% (0.02 L/min).
• This resulted in a 1.5 kcal increase in energy expenditure per 15 minutes compared to traditional chairs.
• Significant increases in minute ventilation (V˙_E), heart rate (HR), and decreases in heart rate variability (HRV) were observed.

Conclusions:

• Active sitting chairs increase energy expenditure, equivalent to 6 kcal/hour or 48 kcal/day.
• The caloric expenditure is comparable to climbing stairs or using other alternative workstations.
• Active sitting chairs with multiaxial rotating seat pans offer a viable method for increasing workstation energy expenditure.