Using sit-stand workstations to decrease sedentary time in office workers: a randomized crossover trial

Nirjhar Dutta, Gabriel A Koepp, Steven D Stovitz, James A Levine, Mark A Pereira, Nirjhar Dutta, Gabriel A Koepp, Steven D Stovitz, James A Levine, Mark A Pereira

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to determine whether installation of sit-stand desks (SSDs) could lead to decreased sitting time during the workday among sedentary office workers.

Methods: A randomized cross-over trial was conducted from January to April, 2012 at a business in Minneapolis. 28 (nine men, 26 full-time) sedentary office workers took part in a 4 week intervention period which included the use of SSDs to gradually replace 50% of sitting time with standing during the workday. Physical activity was the primary outcome. Mood, energy level, fatigue, appetite, dietary intake, and productivity were explored as secondary outcomes.

Results: The intervention reduced sitting time at work by 21% (95% CI 18%-25%) and sedentary time by 4.8 min/work-hr (95% CI 4.1-5.4 min/work-hr). For a 40 h work-week, this translates into replacement of 8 h of sitting time with standing and sedentary time being reduced by 3.2 h. Activity level during non-work hours did not change. The intervention also increased overall sense of well-being, energy, decreased fatigue, had no impact on productivity, and reduced appetite and dietary intake. The workstations were popular with the participants.

Conclusion: The SSD intervention was successful in increasing work-time activity level, without changing activity level during non-work hours.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Participant flow (cross-over design). January–April, 2012, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Percent of time spent sitting, during the entire day and during work-hours only, measured using the objective MSR accelerometer (*p < 0.05). January–April, 2012, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Total activity, activity during work, and activity outside of work, measured objectively by the Gruve accelerometer (*p < 0.05). January–April, 2012, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Sedentary time per hour, for total hours, work-hours only, and non-work-hours, measured objectively by the Gruve accelerometer (*p < 0.05). January–April, 2012, Minneapolis, MN, USA.

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Source: PubMed

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