Comparison of the postural and physiological effects of two dynamic workstations to conventional sitting and standing workstations

Abstract

Increasing evidence is being found for the association of health risk factors with work-related physical inactivity. An increasing number of people are being exposed to this form of inactivity, and as a result, various interventions aimed at increasing physical activity during working hours are being developed. This study aims to investigate the differences in postural, muscular and physical activities resulting from two dynamic workstations, namely an elliptical trainer and a treadmill workstation, compared with a conventional sitting and standing workstation. Twelve participants completed five standardised office tasks in a laboratory setting at all workstations. No significant effect was found regarding changes in posture and the muscular activity was only significantly higher for the trapezius muscle (50th percentile: 8.1 %MVC) at the dynamic workstations. For the dynamic workstations, physical activity ranged from 4.0 to 14.9 × 10⁻² g, heart rate from 14.3 to 27.5 %HRR and energy expenditure from 1.8 to 3.1 METs.

Practitioner Summary:

Work-related physical inactivity is associated with health risk factors. In this study, physiological and postural effects of dynamic workstations were assessed in comparison to conventional workstations. No significant effects were found regarding changes in posture and muscular activity. Physical activity, heart rate and energy expenditure increased for the dynamic workstations.

Keywords:

• Dynamic workstations
• postural analysis
• muscular activity
• physical activity

Acknowledgements

This project was initiated by IFA and TNO and funded by the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV). The authors are grateful to Suzanne Hiemstra-van Mastrigt and Marjolein Douwes for their help and support, to Ingo Hermanns for his technical support and to Katharina Kirschner for her help with data collection and analysis.