Sit-stand workstations are becoming a popular topic again and more workplaces are beginning to trial the use of standing and sit/stand workstations – and other more adventurous ideas like treadmill workstations!
The concept of introducing movement and changes of posture is not new but over the last 7 years or so the ‘sitting disease’ has become a very popular debate. But as with anything the argument is not as clear cut as is sometimes presented and how sit stand workstations are introduced, the equipment used and education provided all impact significantly on the potential ‘success’ and uptake of these interventions.
A lot of the evidence for sit-stand workstations focuses on wellbeing as opposed to ergonomics. It is recognised that there are issues with prolonged sitting. Sitting for more than 1 hour has been shown to induce changes in lipase activity (an enzyme involved in fat metabolism) and in glucose metabolism that leads to the deposit of fats in adipose tissue and extensive sitting also relates to heart disease risks. So there is an argument for advocating standing to work because this uses more muscle activity and burns about 20% more calories. However what is unclear from studies is whether it is sitting that causes these health problems or whether it is because people have these health problems they sit more than do healthy people.
Because standing requires approximately 20% more energy than sitting it can be more tiring. Also the performance of many fine motor skills is also less good when standing. Prolonged standing also puts more strain on the circulatory system and on the legs and increases the risks of varicose veins. So standing all day can be problematic.
Sitting uses less energy than standing and it helps to stabilise the body, so we sit to perform fine motor tasks like computer work. However, for many years ergonomists have recommended that sitting is broken up by periodic standing and moving during the day, preferably 1-2 minutes every 20 to 30 minutes.
The key being to build frequent movement variety into the normal workday. Looking at standing workstations to cure all MSDs relating to DSE tasks is not going to work.
