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A Quantitative Evaluation of Electric Sit-Stand Desk Usage: 3-Month In-Situ Workplace Study
Abstract
OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS
Sit-stand desk interventions are deployed to reduce sedentary time and improve ergonomic adjustability in modern workplaces, with ultimate goals of improving health and productivity. Sit-stand desks, however, require workers to take an active role in changing the desk position, and usage compliance of the sit-stand function has been a challenge. This study used computer software to objectively record continuous data on electric sit-stand desk usage during computer use, to understand current desk usage behaviors in a large office environment involving ∼300 workers for 3 months. We found that workers completed roughly one desk position change per work day, and one-fourth of the workers always had the desk in a seated position (during computer use). The methods used here demonstrate a novel approach to record sit-stand desk usage continuously during active computer use.
... The desks require worker action (lift or lower the desk) to change to sitting and standing heights. used to determine the same outcome measures for over 300 workers using electric sit-stand desks, and the methods on how the software collects data is explained in the study [14]. Since this software was used in conjunction with a non-electric sit-stand desk, a novel approach was used by integrating a lab-validated USB accelerometer sensor with the computer software ( Figure 1). ...
... Researchers were not provided with any demographic information (gender, age) on the workers. previously used to determine the same outcome measures for over 300 workers using electric sitstand desks, and the methods on how the software collects data is explained in the study [14]. Since this software was used in conjunction with a non-electric sit-stand desk, a novel approach was used by integrating a lab-validated USB accelerometer sensor with the computer software ( Figure 1). ...
The objective use of table top adjustable sit–stand desks has yet to be determined, due to the lack of an effective digital evaluation method. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of computer prompt software on table top sit–stand desks to determine if there was a difference in the frequency of desk position changes. This five month, pre-post pilot study on 47 university staff members used a novel USB accelerometer sensor and computer software reminders to continuously record and prompt increases in desk usage to promote physical activity at the workstation. During the baseline phase (3 months), desk usage data were continuously recorded for all workers. Following the baseline, the results from a two-month intervention of personalized computer reminders doubled the number of desk position changes per work day from 1 desk position change every 2 work days to 1 change every work day. Furthermore, those who changed desk positions once or twice a day increased from 4% to 36% from baseline to intervention. Overall, the intervention was encouraging, but longer intervention studies are warranted to determine if the desk usage behavior change can be improved and sustained for years and whether that change results in health gains.
... Terdapat beberapa poin pada kuesioner durasi yakni; jadwal kerja, durasi penggunaan komputer dalam jadwal kerja dan durasi penggunaan komputer di luar jam kerja. 11 Selanjutnya tim peneliti melakukan metode photogrammetry yakni metode mendokumentasikan gambar sisi sagittal dari kepala, leher dan bahu sample dengan jarak kurang lebih 1 meter. Gambar yang didapat nantinya akan diukur craniovertebral angle (CVA) menggunakan aplikasi komputer yang berfungsi seperti busur dengan titik tumpu pada C7 dari sampel. ...
Pendahuluan Forward head posture merupakan salah satu gangguan postur leher yang populasinnya terus meningkat bersamaan dengan perkembangan teknologi. Perubahan postur ini dapat terjadi pada kalangan yang memiliki rutinitas yang menggunakan kontak visualnya dengan posisi tubuh statis dan dalam durasi yang panjang. Pada Forward Head Posture akan terjadi peningkatan kurva lordosis pada leher yang akan berdampak pada perbedaan kekuatan myofacial dari otot-otot yang menjaga postur leher. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah mencari hubungan antara durasi penggunaan komputer yang statis dengan forward head posture pada pekerja berbasis komputer. Metode: Penelitian ini dilakukan pada bulan Oktober sampai Desember tahun 2021 dan merupakan sebuah penelitian cross-sectional analitik. Pengambilan sampel yang berjumlah 56 orang pegawai dengan masa kepegawain diatas 1 tahun menggunakan teknik Purposive Sampling. Sampel variabel independen yang diukur pada penelitian ini adalah Durasi penggunaan komputer menggunakan Self-reported Questionaire, sedangkan variabel dependen yang diukur yaitu derajat CVA dan pemeriksaan oleh peneliti. Hasil: Berdasarkan analisis bivariat metode Pearson’s Chi-Square didapatkan hasil p sebesar 0,002 (p<0,05). Simpulan: Hasil menunjukkan bahwa adanya hubungan yang bermakna antara durasi berkerja menggunakan komputer dengan forward head posture pada pegawai FK Unud. Kata Kunci: forward head posture, cervical, CVA, komputer
... This metric has been reported and utilized in other studies related to active computer use [10,11]. These activities were selected since they have been used as an indicator of workplace productivity and computer use in previous studies [10][11][12][13]. Many of the other metrics kept by Cority software are proprietary and tied to features such as their break timer that provides micro break suggestions. ...
Background:
Remote working may enhance company resiliency during natural disasters and other events causing workplace displacement.
Objective:
We conducted an interrupted time series analyses to investigate the impact of Hurricane Harvey on employee computer use during and after a seven-month displacement period from the physical workplace.
Methods:
Ergonomic software was used to collect information on employees' computer usage.
Results:
Although there was no change in total computer use in response to the hurricane (β 0.25), active computer use significantly declined (β -0.90). All measured computer use behaviors returned to baseline prior to the complete return to the physical workspace.
Conclusion:
Despite a transient period of reduced activity during closure of the workplace building, productivity returned to normal prior to the employees' return to a commercial workspace. The ability to work remotely may improve resiliency of employees to perform workplace tasks during events causing workplace displacement.
Background:Many office employees are spending up to 90% of their workday seated, and employers are considering stand-capable desks as a way to increase physical activity throughout the day. When deciding on adoption of stand-capable workstations, a major concern for employers is that the benefits, over time, may not offset the initial cost of implementation. Methods: This study compared objective measures of productivity over time between a group of stand-capable desk users and a seated control group in a call center. Comparison analysis was completed for continuous six-month secondary data for 167 employees, across two job categories. Results: Users of stand-capable desks were ∼45% more productive on a daily basis compared to their seated counterparts. Further, productivity of the stand-capable desk users significantly increased over time, from ∼23% in the first month to ∼53% over the next six months. Finally, this productivity increase was similar for employees across both job categories. Conclusions: These findings suggest important benefits of employing stand-capable desks in the work force to increase productivity. Prospective studies that include employee health status, perceptions of (dis)comfort and preference over time, along with productivity metrics, are needed to test the effectiveness of stand-capable desks on employee health and performance.
Standing desks have proven to be effective and viable solutions to combat sedentary behavior among children during the school day in studies around the world. However, little is known regarding the potential of such interventions on cognitive outcomes in children over time. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the neurocognitive benefits, i.e., improvements in executive functioning and working memory, of stand-biased desks and explore any associated changes in frontal brain function. 34 freshman high school students were recruited for neurocognitive testing at two time points during the school year: (1) in the fall semester and (2) in the spring semester (after 27.57 (1.63) weeks of continued exposure). Executive function and working memory was evaluated using a computerized neurocognitive test battery, and brain activation patterns of the prefrontal cortex were obtained using functional near infrared spectroscopy. Continued utilization of the stand-biased desks was associated with significant improvements in executive function and working memory capabilities. Changes in corresponding brain activation patterns were also observed. These findings provide the first preliminary evidence on the neurocognitive benefits of standing desks, which to date have focused largely on energy expenditure. Findings obtained here can drive future research with larger samples and multiple schools, with comparison groups that may in turn implicate the importance of stand-biased desks, as simple environmental changes in classrooms, on enhancing children’s cognitive functioning that drive their cognitive development and impact educational outcomes.
Excessive sedentary time is detrimentally linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and premature mortality. Studies have been investigating the use of activity-permissive workstations to reduce sedentary time in office workers, a highly sedentary target group. This review systematically summarizes the evidence for activity-permissive workstations on sedentary time, health-risk biomarkers, work performance and feasibility indicators in office workplaces. In July 2013, a literature search identified 38 relevant peer-reviewed publications. Key findings were independently extracted by two researchers. The average intervention effect on sedentary time was calculated via meta-analysis. In total, 984 participants across 19 field-based trials and 19 laboratory investigations were included, with sample sizes ranging from n = 2 to 66 per study. Sedentary time, health-risk biomarkers and work performance indicators were reported in 13, 23 and 23 studies, respectively. The pooled effect size from the meta-analysis was −77 min of sedentary time/8-h workday (95% confidence interval = −120, −35 min). Non-significant changes were reported for most health- and work-related outcomes. Studies with acceptability measures reported predominantly positive feedback. Findings suggest that activity-permissive workstations can be effective to reduce occupational sedentary time, without compromising work performance. Larger and longer-term randomized-controlled trials are needed to understand the sustainability of the sedentary time reductions and their longer-term impacts on health- and work-related outcomes.
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.
Background:
Occupational sedentary behaviour is an important contributor to overall sedentary risk. There is limited evidence for effective workplace interventions to reduce occupational sedentary time and increase light activity during work hours. The purpose of the study was to determine if participatory workplace interventions could reduce total sedentary time, sustained sedentary time (bouts >30 minutes), increase the frequency of breaks in sedentary time and promote light intensity activity and moderate/vigorous activity (MVPA) during work hours.
Methods:
A randomised controlled trial (ANZCTR NUMBER: ACTN12612000743864) was conducted using clerical, call centre and data processing workers (n = 62, aged 25-59 years) in 3 large government organisations in Perth, Australia. Three groups developed interventions with a participatory approach: 'Active office' (n = 19), 'Active Workstation' and promotion of incidental office activity; 'Traditional physical activity' (n = 14), pedometer challenge to increase activity between productive work time and 'Office ergonomics' (n = 29), computer workstation design and breaking up computer tasks. Accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3X, 7 days) determined sedentary time, sustained sedentary time, breaks in sedentary time, light intensity activity and MVPA on work days and during work hours were measured before and following a 12 week intervention period.
Results:
For all participants there was a significant reduction in sedentary time on work days (-1.6%, p = 0.006) and during work hours (-1.7%, p = 0.014) and a significant increase in number of breaks/sedentary hour on work days (0.64, p = 0.005) and during work hours (0.72, p = 0.015); there was a concurrent significant increase in light activity during work hours (1.5%, p = 0.012) and MVPA on work days (0.6%, p = 0.012).
Conclusions:
This study explored novel ways to modify work practices to reduce occupational sedentary behaviour. Participatory workplace interventions can reduce sedentary time, increase the frequency of breaks and improve light activity and MVPA of office workers by using a variety of interventions.
Trial registration:
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTN12612000743864.
Objective: Sedentariness is associated with weight gain and obesity. A treadmill desk is the combination of a standing desk and a treadmill that allow employees to work while walking at low speed.
Design and Methods: The hypothesis was that a 1-year intervention with treadmill desks is associated with an increase in employee daily physical activity (summation of all activity per minute) and a decrease in daily sedentary time (zero activity). Employees (n = 36; 25 women, 11 men) with sedentary jobs (87 ± 27 kg, BMI 29 ± 7 kg/m2, n = 10 Lean BMI < 25 kg/m2, n = 15 Overweight 25 < BMI < 30 kg/m2, n = 11 Obese BMI > 30 kg/m2) volunteered to have their traditional desk replaced with a treadmill desk to promote physical activity for 1 year.
Results: Daily physical activity (using accelerometers), work performance, body composition, and blood variables were measured at Baseline and 6 and 12 months after the treadmill desk intervention. Subjects who used the treadmill desk increased daily physical activity from baseline 3,353 ± 1,802 activity units (AU)/day to, at 6 months, 4,460 ± 2,376 AU/day (P < 0.001), and at 12 months, 4,205 ± 2,238 AU/day (P < 0.001). Access to the treadmill desks was associated with significant decreases in daily sedentary time (zero activity) from at baseline 1,020 ± 75 min/day to, at 6 months, 929 ± 84 min/day (P < 0.001), and at 12 months, 978 ± 95 min/day (P < 0.001). For the whole group, weight loss averaged 1.4 ± 3.3 kg (P < 0.05). Weight loss for obese subjects was 2.3 ± 3.5 kg (P < 0.03). Access to the treadmill desks was associated with increased daily physical activity compared to traditional chair-based desks; their deployment was not associated with altered performance. For the 36 participants, fat mass did not change significantly, however, those who lost weight (n = 22) lost 3.4 ± 5.4 kg (P < 0.001) of fat mass. Weight loss was greatest in people with obesity.
Conclusions: Access to treadmill desks may improve the health of office workers without affecting work performance.
In both science and media, the adverse effects of a long duration of computer use at work on musculoskeletal health have long been debated. Until recently, the duration of computer use was mainly measured by self-reports, and studies using more objective measures, such as software-recorded computer duration, were lacking. The objective of this study was to examine the association between duration of computer use at work, measured with software and self-reports, and the onset of severe arm-wrist-hand and neck-shoulder symptoms.
A 2-year follow-up study was conducted between 2004 and 2006 among 1951 office workers in The Netherlands. Self-reported computer duration and other risk factors were collected at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Computer use at work was recorded continuously with computer software for 1009 participants. Outcome questionnaires were obtained at baseline and every 3 months during follow-up. Cases were identified based on the transition within 3 months of no or minor symptoms to severe symptoms.
Self-reported duration of computer use was positively associated with the onset of both arm-wrist-hand (RR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.1 for more than 4 h/day of total computer use at work) and neck-shoulder symptoms (RR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.0 for more than 4 h/day of mouse use at work). The recorded duration of computer use did not show any statistically significant association with the outcomes.
In the present study, no association was found between the software-recorded duration of computer use at work and the onset of severe arm-wrist-hand and neck-shoulder symptoms using an exposure window of 3 months. In contrast, a positive association was found between the self-reported duration of computer use at work and the onset of severe arm-wrist-hand and neck-shoulder symptoms. The different findings for recorded and self-reported computer duration could not be explained satisfactorily.
This study evaluated the effects on work-related neck and upper-limb disorders among computer workers stimulated (by a software program) to take regular breaks and perform physical exercises. Possible effects on sick leave and productivity were studied as well. A randomized controlled design was used with cluster randomization. Altogether 268 computer workers with complaints in the neck or an upper limb from 22 office locations were randomized into a control group, one intervention group stimulated to take extra breaks and one intervention group stimulated to perform exercises during the extra breaks during an 8-weekperiod. Questionnaires were administered before andafter the intervention, and questions were generated by the software during the intervention period. Computer usage was recorded online.
The data on self-reported recovery suggested a favorable effect; more subjects in the intervention groups than in the control group reported recovery (55% versus 34%) from their complaints and fewer reported deterioration (4% versus 20%). However, a comparison between the reported pre- and postintervention scores on the severity and frequency of the complaints showed no significant differences in the change among the three groups. No effects on sick leave were observed. The subjects in the intervention groups showed higher productivity.
The use of a software program stimulating workers to take regular breaks contributes to perceived recovery from neck or upper-limb complaints. There seems to be no additional effects from performing physical exercises during these breaks.
Computer use may have an adverse effect on musculoskeletal outcomes. This study assessed the risk of neck and shoulder pain associated with objectively recorded professional computer use.
A computer programme was used to collect data on mouse and keyboard usage and weekly reports of neck and shoulder pain among 2146 technical assistants. Questionnaires were also completed at baseline and at 12 months. The three outcome measures were: (1) acute pain (measured as weekly pain); (2) prolonged pain (no or minor pain in the neck and shoulder region over four consecutive weeks followed by three consecutive weeks with a high pain score); and (3) chronic pain (reported pain or discomfort lasting more than 30 days and "quite a lot of trouble" during the past 12 months).
Risk for acute neck pain and shoulder pain increased linearly by 4% and 10%, respectively, for each quartile increase in weekly mouse usage time. Mouse and keyboard usage time did not predict the onset of prolonged or chronic pain in the neck or shoulder. Women had higher risks for neck and shoulder pain. Number of keystrokes and mouse clicks, length of the average activity period, and micro-pauses did not influence reports of acute or prolonged pain. A few psychosocial factors predicted the risk of prolonged pain.
Most computer workers have no or minor neck and shoulder pain, few experience prolonged pain, and even fewer, chronic neck and shoulder pain. Moreover, there seems to be no relationship between computer use and prolonged and chronic neck and shoulder pain.
Objective:
We compared usage patterns of two different electronically controlled sit-stand tables during a 2-month intervention period among office workers.
Background:
Office workers spend most of their working time sitting, which is likely detrimental to health. Although the introduction of sit-stand tables has been suggested as an effective intervention to decrease sitting time, limited evidence is available on usage patterns of sit-stand tables and whether patterns are influenced by table configuration.
Method:
Twelve workers were provided with standard sit-stand tables (nonautomated table group) and 12 with semiautomated sit-stand tables programmed to change table position according to a preset pattern, if the user agreed to the system-generated prompt (semiautomated table group). Table position was monitored continuously for 2 months after introducing the tables, as a proxy for sit-stand behavior.
Results:
On average, the table was in a “sit” position for 85% of the workday in both groups; this percentage did not change significantly during the 2-month period. Switches in table position from sit to stand were, however, more frequent in the semiautomated table group than in the nonautomated table group (0.65 vs. 0.29 hr-1; p = .001).
Conclusion:
Introducing a semiautomated sit-stand table appeared to be an attractive alternative to a standard sit-stand table, because it led to more posture variation.
Application:
A semiautomated sit-stand table may effectively contribute to making postures more variable among office workers and thus aid in alleviating negative health effects of extensive sitting.
OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Sit–stand tables with semi-automated position changes were developed in order to remind users to switch regularly between sitting and standing postures during office work. Tests of the system showed good user compliance: Desk usage patterns were sustained during the entire 2 months following intervention. Users reported the new system did not interfere with their work, that it impacted their perception of health and well-being positively, and that they would have liked to continue using the system beyond the intervention period. This could thus be a promising intervention to ensure adequate use of sit–stand desks and sustain their use over time.
TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: Introducing sit–stand tables has been proposed as an initiative to decrease sedentary behavior among office workers and thus reduce risks of negative cardiometabolic health effects. However, ensuring proper and sustainable use of such tables has remained a challenge for successful implementation. Purpose: Assess a new system developed to promote and sustain the use of sit–stand tables. Methods: The system was programmed to change the position of the table between “sit” and “stand” positions per a regular preset pattern if the user agreed to the system-generated prompts prior to each change. The user could respond to the system-generated prompts by agreeing, refusing, or postponing the changes by 2 minutes. We obtained user compliance data when this system was programmed to a schedule of 10 minutes of standing after every 50 minutes of sitting. Compliance was investigated among nine office workers who were offered the semi-automated sit–stand table for 2 months. Results: The system issued 12 to 14 alerts per day throughout the period. Mean acceptance rates ranged from 75.0% to 82.4%, and refusal rate ranged from 11.8% to 10.1% between the first and eighth weeks of intervention (difference not statistically significant). During the first week after introduction, the table was in a standing position for a mean of 75.2 minutes—increasing slightly to 77.5 minutes in the eighth week. Conclusions: Since the workers were essentially sitting down before the table was introduced, these results suggest that the system was well accepted, and led to an effective reduction of sitting during working hours. Users also reported that the system contributed positively to their health and well-being, without interrupting their regular work, and that they would like to continue using the sit–stand table even beyond the 2-month period as part of their regular work. Compliance beyond 2 months of use, however, needs to be verified.
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Objectives:
To measure changes in body mass index (BMI) percentiles among third- and fourth-grade students in stand-biased classrooms and traditional seated classrooms in 3 Texas elementary schools.
Methods:
Research staff recorded the height and weight of 380 students in 24 classrooms across the 3 schools at the beginning (2011-2012) and end (2012-2013) of the 2-year study.
Results:
After adjustment for grade, race/ethnicity, and gender, there was a statistically significant decrease in BMI percentile in the group that used stand-biased desks for 2 consecutive years relative to the group that used standard desks during both years. Mean BMI increased by 0.1 and 0.4 kilograms per meter squared in the treatment and control groups, respectively. The between-group difference in BMI percentile change was 5.24 (SE = 2.50; P = .037). No other covariates had a statistically significant impact on BMI percentile changes.
Conclusions:
Changing a classroom to a stand-biased environment had a significant effect on students' BMI percentile, indicating the need to redesign traditional classroom environments. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print August 23, 2016: e1-e6. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2016.303323).
Desk-based office employees sit for most of their working day. To address excessive sitting as a newly identified health risk, best practice frameworks suggest a multi-component approach. However, these approaches are resource intensive and knowledge about their impact is limited.
To compare the efficacy of a multi-component intervention to reduce workplace sitting time, to a height-adjustable workstations-only intervention, and to a comparison group (usual practice).
Three-arm quasi-randomized controlled trial in three separate administrative units of the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Data were collected between January and June 2012 and analyzed the same year.
Desk-based office workers aged 20-65 (multi-component intervention, n=16; workstations-only, n=14; comparison, n=14).
The multi-component intervention comprised installation of height-adjustable workstations and organizational-level (management consultation, staff education, manager e-mails to staff) and individual-level (face-to-face coaching, telephone support) elements.
Workplace sitting time (minutes/8-hour workday) assessed objectively via activPAL3 devices worn for 7 days at baseline and 3 months (end-of-intervention).
At baseline, the mean proportion of workplace sitting time was approximately 77% across all groups (multi-component group 366 minutes/8 hours [SD=49]; workstations-only group 373 minutes/8 hours [SD=36], comparison 365 minutes/8 hours [SD=54]). Following intervention and relative to the comparison group, workplace sitting time in the multi-component group was reduced by 89 minutes/8-hour workday (95% CI=-130, -47 minutes; p<0.001) and 33 minutes in the workstations-only group (95% CI=-74, 7 minutes, p=0.285).
A multi-component intervention was successful in reducing workplace sitting. These findings may have important practical and financial implications for workplaces targeting sitting time reductions.
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry 00363297.
A long duration of computer use is known to be positively associated with Work Related Upper Extremity Disorders (WRUED). Self-report by questionnaire is commonly used to assess a worker's duration of computer use. The aim of the present study was to assess the validity of self-report and computer use software (WorkPace®) to assess the duration of computer use in a heterogeneous office population and for different job types. Ninety-nine bank employees with various job titles participated in the study. The duration of computer use was assessed simultaneously by self-report (questionnaire), WorkPace® and direct observation. Observation was regarded as the golden standard. On average, self-reports overestimated the observed duration of computer use with 39%. This overestimation was reduced to 9% when using WorkPace®. Viewing times (time viewing the screen without touching mouse or keyboard) differed between computer jobs. It was concluded that computer use statistics yield rather accurate estimations of duration of computer use, whereas self-reports do not. These estimations can be further improved by using specific viewing time estimations for different computer jobs.
The aim was to validate measurements of the duration of computer use by a commercial software package in relation to video-based observations. Twenty-two computer users with computer-based work tasks primarily consisting of data entry, word-, and data processing participated in the study. During 1 h, when the subjects performed their normal work, the duration of computer use was estimated simultaneously by the software program WorkPace and by video-based observations. Two observers analyzed the video-recordings independently. Pearson correlation showed r-values above 0.9 for both observers in relation to the software and between the observers. A significant difference was found between one of the observers and the software program, but judged by 95% confidence intervals and limits of agreement the measurements of the duration of computer use based on the software WorkPace appear to be in agreement with the video-based observations.Relevance to industryThe software may be used as a valid tool to measure exposure in large epidemiological studies or to provide objective feedback on time spent at the computer and the usage of keyboard and mouse to the computer user.
The overall goal of this study was to evaluate three separate methodologies for gathering work activity information among computer users. These methodologies included worker self-report, work sampling, and activity monitoring. A repeated measures design was employed whereby data were collected simultaneously on each subject (n = 51) across three consecutive workdays. Exposure information gathered included keying time, mouse usage, and time spent performing various work tasks (i.e., writing, proofreading, handling documents). Subjects were recruited to represent a wide range of keyboard activity and mouse usage. The study found that worker self-reports overestimated actual keyboard usage by a factor of approximately 1.5 for workers using the keyboard an average of 4 hours per day to a factor of 4 for workers using the keyboard an average of 30 min per day. On average, there was an approximate twofold difference between worker self-reported keying time and that obtained via activity monitoring and work sampling. This trend was similar with regard to time spent using the computer mouse. Worker self-reported mouse usage was approximately twofold higher than that obtained via activity monitoring or work sampling. Self-reported exposure information not only resulted in different estimates, but showed greater variance compared with the other methodologies. The results of this study suggest that the use of worker self-reported exposure information on keying time and mouse usage may not represent an accurate account of time spent performing these tasks. In the context of epidemiological studies work sampling and/or activity monitoring would be more suitable methodologies for obtaining such information.
The introduction of sit-stand worktables was examined in this study. Purchasers at four companies were interviewed regarding preparations prior to purchase, follow-up after installation, and if expectations had been fulfilled. Personnel at the four companies answered a questionnaire examining use of the worktables' sit-stand function, and the influence of some variables on this. Utilisation of the sit-stand function was less than what could be expected to relieve static musculoskeletal loading during VDU work. Pain experienced during the past year, and education on the use of the worktable gave rise to modest increases in utilisation. Investment in sit-stand worktables was satisfactory to purchasers, in terms of providing flexible furniture to suit modern organisational dynamics. Users were, in general, positive to the worktables, but showed poor compliance in using them. User and purchaser satisfaction with regard to improving individual health ergonomics was questionable in respect of the low level of usage.
This study compared the effect of 24 months of adjustable school desks and chairs usage (the intervention) and traditional non-adjustable usage (the control condition) on sitting and standing postures, muscle strength, classroom muscle tension, pain and learning in 15 (8 female and 7 male) high-school students and 15 anthropometrically and gender matched control students from neighbouring schools. It was assessed whether any responses took place after growth cessation. In comparison with controls, the intervention group of students' sitting postures standing kyphosis, scoliosis and lordosis became significantly better, both before and after growth cessation. Trunk muscle strength increased in the intervention students whose muscle tension during classes fell significantly in the trapezius and lumbar muscles, whereas in control students' lumbar tension increased. Headache and low-back pain correlated with neck-shoulder pain and trapezius muscle tension. Intervention students reported that they experienced benefits from the adjustable tables and chairs. They also received significantly better overall marks than the controls at the end of high school. It is concluded that the adjustable school desks and chairs promoted better sitting and standing postures, increased muscle strength, alleviated pain and appeared to be associated with better overall academic marks.
Sedentary work. Evidence on an emergent work health and safety issue
- L Straker
- D Dunstan
- N Gilson
- G Healy