Stand up for your health: Rationale and design for a randomized controlled trial.

Cross-sectional Examination of Long-term Access to Sit-Stand Desks in a Professional Office Setting.

More than 50% of primary care physicians' practice involves sedentary desk work. Growing evidence suggests a link between sedentary workplace behaviors and increased morbidity and mortality. Research on the effects of sit-stand desks in the workplace suggests that sit-stand desks reduce sedentary behaviors. This study examined the use and satisfaction of adjustable desks with a height of sit-stand and their association with physical self-care behaviors among family medicine residents. We conducted a longitudinal cohort survey study at a 9-9-9 family medicine residency after the clinic installed height-adjustable sit-stand desks in January 2020. Standardized questions about the use and satisfaction of adjustable sit-stand desks and physical self-care behaviors were administered in June 2020, December 2020, and December 2021. The survey also included an open text box for feedback. Median time spent standing at the sit-stand desks was 55.0%. The percentage of time standing was similar across June 2020, December 2020, and December 2021. The average satisfaction rate with the desks across all time points was 71.4%. We did not observe significant differences in the proportion of residents' satisfaction with the adjustable desks over time. Residents who reported standing at the adjustable desk reported increased satisfaction with the desks (Kendall's τ=.38, P<.001) and with physical self-care behaviors (Kendall's τ=.25, P<.05). Themes associated with desk dissatisfaction revolved around limited desktop space. Over a nearly 1.5-year period, more than half of family medicine residents reported standing at their adjustable desks and being satisfied with them. Residents who reported standing at adjustable desks also reported increased physical self-care behaviors. Residency programs investing in sit-stand desks may consider options that allow for increased desktop surface space.

Sedentary behavior is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality, independent of physical activity. The biological mechanisms underlying these associations are largely unknown. We hypothesized that obese subjects with sedentary desk jobs, when assigned a sit-stand desk, will reduce daily sedentary time, and show improvement in arterial flow-mediated dilation (FMD), an early indicator of CVD. Overweight and obese subjects without known CVD were recruited at our institution and given an adjustable sit-stand desk at work. Activities were quantified with an accelerometer for 7 days at baseline and during the intervention. FMD of the brachial and superficial femoral arteries, fasting lipids, insulin and glucose labs, and anthropometrics were measured at baseline, and 12 and 24 weeks. Repeated one-way ANOVA tests were used to compare measurements over time. Fifteen participants were enrolled (93% female, mean age 40 ± 5 years, mean body mass index [BMI] 33 ± 5). Mean daily sedentary time at work decreased by 90 minutes from baseline (385 ± 49 minutes) to 12 weeks (297 ± 80 minutes, p = 0.002) and 24 weeks (295 ± 127 minutes, p = 0.015). Femoral FMD increased from baseline (4.9 ± 1.7%) to 12 weeks (6.4 ± 2.3%, p = 0.043) and further to 24 weeks (8.1 ± 3.2%, p = 0.009). Significant improvement in fasting triglycerides and insulin resistance occurred. There was no change in brachial FMD, exercise activity, step counts, weight, or BMI. A significant reduction in sedentary time during working hours was identified with utilization of a sit-stand desk and sustained over 24 weeks. Improvements in FMD, triglycerides, and insulin resistance provide insight into mechanisms of adverse health risks associated with sedentary behavior.

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is an obesity and inflammation-associated condition driving the rising global prevalence of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and dyslipidemia. It is a modifiable risk factor for cardiometabolic disease due to its association with sedentary lifestyle and smoking. Aims: To assess IR and its associations in T2DM. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed 200 T2DM patients’ data and assessed its correlates and predictors using logistic regression. Statistical analysis used: Statistical Package for Social Sciences 26. Results: The mean age of the 200 participants was 58.96 ± 8.32 years, 19 (9.5%) were smokers and 54 (27%) had diabetes for more than 10 years. The waist–hip ratio was higher in women than men, P = 0.04. The hypertensives were older and had higher IR than those without hypertension, P = 0.04 and P &lt; 0.001, respectively. The IR was positively correlated with the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and atherogenic coefficient (AQ), P = 0.04 and P &lt; 0.001, respectively. Abdominal obesity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, elevated triglyceride glycemic index (TGI), and low alpha lipoprotein (HDL) were more common in women than men. The elderly had higher AIP, TGI, and lower HDL, P &lt; 0.001, P &lt; 0.001, and P = 0.001, respectively. IR was associated with kidney dysfunction (P = 0.02). Smoking (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.15–2.26), hypertension (OR 5.84, 95% CI 3.17–7.28), AIP (OR 8.23, 95% CI 2.58–8.14), and AQ (OR 11.63, 95% CI 4.07–13.47) independently predicted IR. Conclusion: IR contributes majorly to the rising global prevalence of hypertension, T2DM, and dyslipidemia. Its association with sedentary lifestyles and smoking makes it a modifiable risk factor for cardiometabolic and renal disease. All efforts are needed to curtail its rising trend.

&lt;p&gt;Sedentary behavior has been found to have independent and negative associations with several cardiometabolic risk factors while interrupting prolonged sedentary time may ameliorate these associations. College classrooms are a traditionally sedentary microenvironment and understudied setting for sedentary interventions. Introducing sit-stand desks into college classrooms may be an effective and sustainable approach to reduce classroom sedentary time of college students. The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of replacing seated desks with sit-stand desks in a college classroom on student’s classroom standing time and sit-stand transitions, as well as health-related and academic behaviors.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;We recruited 304 undergraduate college students taking one of 14 classes being taught in one of two small classrooms (25 seats per class) to participate. Using a cross-over design, each student’s classroom sitting and standing time were measured by self-report and objectively (direct observation via video camera surveillance) after having access to only seated desks or only sit-stand desks for six continuous weeks. A process evaluation survey was administered at the end of the study to explore student’s and instructor’s perceptions of the intervention and its impact on student engagement.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;The results suggest that students stood about 9.1% of class time on average when given access to sit-stand desks and about 1.95% of class time when using traditional seated desks, as measured by objective video surveillance data. There was no significant change in sit-stand transitions between sit-stand desks and seated desks. Students reported that a number of academic and health outcomes were favorably impacted as a result of using the sit-stand desks. Social acceptability appeared to be the biggest barrier to use of the sit-stand desks. Overall, students reported a desire to use sit-stand desks again in future classes.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Students stood significantly more when provided access to sit-stand desks compared to seated desks. Sit-stand transitions were not significantly increased when sit-stand desks were implemented. Significantly more students reported improvements in academic and health related outcomes than students who reported declines in these areas as a result of using sit-stand desks. A majority of students reported they would use sit-stand desk again in the future and be supportive of adding sit-stand desks to other classrooms on campus. Sit-stand desks are a feasible environmental change in a college classroom to reduce student sedentary time.&lt;/p&gt;

Uncertainties remain about the overall effect of sit-stand desks for reducing prolonged sitting among office-based workers. This study assessed the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial of the impact of workplace sit-stand desks on overall energy expenditure, sitting time and cardio-metabolic outcomes. It involved four phases: Phase I: online survey; Phase II: workspace auditing; Phase III: randomised intervention (provision of sit-stand desks at work for 3 months); Phase IV: qualitative component. Participants were offıce-based employees of two companies in Cambridge, England. Among Phase I participants interested in the trial, 100 were randomised to Phase II. Of those with workspaces suitable for sit-stand desks, 20 were randomised to Phase III. Those allocated to the intervention completed Phase IV. Outcomes included: trial participation interest, desk-type (full desks/desk mounts) and assessment location (work/laboratory/home) preferences (Phase I); proportion of workspaces permitting sit-stand desk installation (Phase II); energy expenditure, sitting time and cardio-metabolic outcomes (Phase III); study participation experiences (Phase IV). Data were collected between May 2015 and December 2016. Recruitment and trial implementation were feasible: 92% of survey respondents expressed participation interest; 80% of workspaces could accommodate sit-stand desks; assessments were done in workplaces, preferred by 71%. Sit-stand desk provision reduced workplace sitting time by 94 min/day (95% CI 17.7–170.7). Their impact on energy expenditure and cardio-metabolic outcomes is unclear. The results confirm the feasibility of a trial assessing sit-stand desks' impact on energy expenditure, sitting time and cardio-metabolic outcomes, which should reduce uncertainty concerning the intervention's potential to reduce the health risks of prolonged sitting.Trial registration ISRCTN44827407.

The impact of standing desks within the school classroom on sedentary behaviour, physical activity, health and development

Leptin and cardiovascular disease: response to therapeutic interventions.

ObjectiveTo gather the existing evidence on the impact of sit-stand desk-based interventions on working-time and full-day sedentary behavior and compare their impact across different intervention lengths.BackgroundReducing sedentary behavior is vital for improving office workers' health. Sit-stand desks promote sitting and standing alternation, but understanding their effects outside the workplace is essential for success.MethodsStudies published between January 2008 and January 2024 were searched through electronic databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library). The quality of the studies was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies of the Effective Public Health Practice Project.ResultsTwelve included studies showed that the intervention group experienced average reductions in full-day sedentary behavior of 68.7min/day at 3months, 77.7min/day at 6months, and 62.1min/day at 12months compared to the control group. For working hours sedentary behavior, reductions were observed in the intervention group at 9weeks (73.0min/day), 3 months (88.0min/day), 6 months (80.8min/day), and 12 months (48.0min/day) relative to the control group.ConclusionsSit-stand desk interventions can be effective in helping office workers reduce sedentary behavior in the short, medium, and long-term both at work and throughout the full-day.ApplicationActive workstation interventions, including sit-stand desks, educational sessions, and alert software, aim to reduce sedentary behavior among office workers. While sit-stand desks show promise in decreasing sitting time during working hours, their long-term effectiveness and impact beyond the workplace remain uncertain. This review evaluates their effectiveness across different durations, addressing both workplace and full-day impact.

Office workers represent one of the most sedentary groups. Alarmingly, more than one-third of their sitting time during workdays occurs in prolonged bouts. Sit-stand desk (SSD) interventions have been found to be effective in reducing sitting time, but heterogeneity exists amongst studies, which may be due to compensations outside the workplace. This study aimed to assess the impact of a 6-month SSD intervention on office workers' sitting and standing times during the work shift and outside work (leisure time). A 2-arm (1:1) clustered randomized controlled trial was conducted with 38 participants randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. The intervention included a psychoeducational session, motivational prompts, and environmental modification (SSD implemented in the workplace). The waiting-list control group maintained the usual work conditions and only received the initial session. We employed repeated measures analysis of covariance to compare changes between groups while adjusting for relevant covariates, with significance set at 5%. In the intervention group, there was a significant reduction in sitting time at work by 32.97minutes, along with a notable increase in standing time by 27.88minutes (P < .05). Although nonsignificant (P > .05), there was an increase in sitting time in the leisure context of about 23.07minutes. This study underscores the effectiveness of SSD as a key strategy to mitigate sitting time among office workers. However, future interventions should consider integrating comprehensive behavioral strategies beyond the workplace to sustain potential increases in sitting time during leisure time and avoid compensatory behaviors.

Sedentary behaviour in office workers: correlates and interventions

Sedentary behaviour (sitting) is a risk factor for adverse health outcomes. The classroom environment has traditionally been associated with prolonged periods of sitting in children. The aim of this study was to examine the potential impact of an environmental intervention, the addition of sit–stand desks in the classroom, on school children’s sitting and physical activity during class time and after school. The ‘Stand Out in Class’ pilot trial was a two-arm cluster randomised controlled trial conducted in eight primary schools with children from a mixed socioeconomic background. The 4.5 month environmental intervention modified the physical (six sit–stand desks replaced standard desks) and social (e.g., teachers’ support) environment. All children wore activPAL and ActiGraph accelerometers for 7 days at baseline and follow-up. In total 176 children (mean age = 9.3 years) took part in the trial. At baseline, control and intervention groups spent more than 65% of class time sitting, this changed to 71.7% and 59.1% at follow-up, respectively (group effect p < 0.001). The proportion of class time spent standing and stepping, along with the proportion of time in light activity increased in the intervention group and decreased in the control group. There was no evidence of any compensatory effects from the intervention after school. Incorporating sit–stand desks to change the classroom environment at primary school appears to be an acceptable strategy for reducing children’s sedentary behaviour and increasing light activity especially during class time. Trial registration: ISRCTN12915848 (registered: 09/11/16).

BackgroundSit-stand desk interventions have the potential to reduce workplace sedentary behaviour and improve employee health. However, the extent of sit-stand desk use varies between employees and in different organisational contexts. Framed by organisational cultural theory and product design theory, this study examined employees’ lived experience of taking part in a workplace sit-stand desk intervention, to understand the processes influencing feasibility and acceptability.MethodsParticipant observations and qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 employees from two office-based workplaces in the UK, as part of a process evaluation that ran alongside a pilot RCT of a workplace sit-stand desk intervention. Observational field notes and transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsThree themes related to the experience of using a sit-stand desk at work were generated: employees’ relationship with their sit-stand desk; aspirations and outcomes related to employee health and productivity; and cultural norms and interpersonal relationships. The perceived usability of the desk varied depending on how employees interacted with the desk within their personal and organisational context. Employees reported that the perceived influence of the desk on their productivity levels shaped use of the desk; those who perceived that standing increased energy and alertness tended to stand more often. Sit-stand desks were voiced as being more acceptable than intervention strategies that involve leaving the desk, as productivity was conflated with being at the desk.ConclusionsThe findings indicate a range of organisational, social-cultural and individual-level factors that shape the feasibility and acceptability of sit-stand desk use, and suggest strategies for improving employees’ experiences of using a sit-stand desk at work, which might positively influence sedentary behaviour reduction and health.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT02172599, 22nd June 2014 (prospectively registered).

To investigate the association between diabetes symptoms and physical activity (PA) levels among middle-aged and older Chinese adults. Data for this study were obtained from 2018 Charles data. Z test, logistic regression analysis, and linear hierarchical regression analysis were performed in 5352 individuals aged ≥50 years with complete information. In terms of diabetes, 6.8% of the middle-aged and elderly people with diabetes were detected, and 93.2% of the middle-aged and elderly people without diabetes symptoms. The proportion of middle-aged and elderly people with high PA levels was 50.5%, and the proportion of middle-aged and elderly people with low PA was 49.5%. There was a significant positive correlation between low PA and diabetes (P < .05). After adjusting demographic characteristics (gender, registered permanent residence type, education level, age, widowhood) and health status characteristics (poor mood, asthma, hyperlipidemia, disability, memory disease, self-assessment of health status, hypertension, smoking, stroke, depression), there was still a statistical significance between PA level and diabetes (P < .05). The risk of diabetes of middle-aged and elderly people in China increases with age, while the risk of diabetes of middle-aged and elderly people with low level of PA is higher. The risk of diabetes is high among middle-aged and elderly people who are old, have poor self-evaluation health, suffer from hyperlipidemia, memory disease, and asthma. The middle-aged and old people should increase their PA levels to prevent and improve diabetes.

Whether it is from the office-office or the home office, creating a physical work environment is essential for both improving work performance as well as for the physical and mental wellbeing of employees. But as jobs are becoming increasingly less active, and working adults are spending almost a third of their lives in the office, most of their time is now spent sitting behind a desk. This time in sedentary behavior is increasing rapidly on a global scale and has become a great area of concern, as research has proven that this behavior is linked to an increase in all-cause mortality. To reduce the sedentary nature of the workplace, many companies are now replacing the standard desk with sit-stand desks (SSDs). SSDs are height adjustable desks that allow the user to work in either a sitting position or a standing position. Unfortunately, even as more companies are implementing these desks in their workspace, many studies indicate that there is a lack of utilization among working adults, with many only transitioning the desks to a standing position once a month or less.This paper presents a user-centered design project examining how to reduce the long-term sedentary behavior of desk-based working adults by motivating them to utilize their SSDs to make more transitions between sitting and standing. The project involved an agile design approach based on a cyclic process where a range of design techniques and research methods were used to look deeper into the practices and habits of working adults and better understand why this lack of use occurs and how it can be changed. These design techniques and research methods include a literature study, auto-ethnographical research, and 11 interviews with both active and non-active SSD users. An analysis of the differences between active and non-active users,led to the hypothesis that to reduce the SB of desk-based working adults, the use of SSDs in the workplace should be normalized by ensuring that working adults understand the benefits and proper use of SSDs while also offering the key tools: (1) reminders of when to transiting between sitting &amp; standing; (2) social support; (3) awareness of effects on body &amp; mind ; (4) task-based transitions. . This hypothesis was then used to initiate an empirical research through design process. Through this process, the final concept, BMDesk Application and Controller, was created. The BMDesk showcases an interactive digital platform and controller which utilizes the previously defined design opportunities to aid desk-based working adults in becoming more in tune with their physical and mental state while also providing them with the support they need to reduce their long-term sedentary behavior by utilizing their SSDs. The platform provides the user with an interactive tool that (1) gives them control over setting up their workday and defining how many sit-stand transitions they want to make and how long they want to remain in each position; (2) triggers a light reminder indicating to the user when it is time to check in and (3) provides a step-by-step body and mind self-evaluation included in the digital application; (4) based on the self-evaluation, the application provides a personalized tip and option to “learn more” about how the user can alter their position to relieve them of any physical or mental pain they are experiencing; (5) allows the user to choose if they actually want to change position and provides an additional reminder after a preset amount of time in the case they do not switch; (6) uses a two-way LED infrared sensor to automatically track the number of transitions and how long the user is in each position; and (7) allows the user to connect with the coworkers or friends to setup challenges or select times to standup together.