Abstract
Sedentary behavior has been recognized as an important risk factor in the development of several chronic diseases. Active workstations have been proposed as an effective countermeasure. While such interventions likely reduce sedentary time, concerns regarding the effects on work performance and cognitive function remain. To use meta-analyis to critically evaluate the work performance and cognitive function effects of cycle and treadmill desks as workplace interventions against sedentary behavior. In February 2018, a data search was conducted. Parallel and crossover design studies evaluating workplace interventions compared to conventional seated conditions were included. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Both interventions reduced typing speed (cycling: SMD = -0.35, p = 0.04; treadmill: SMD = -0.8, p < 0.001). The number of typing errors significantly increased during cycling interventions (SMD = 0.39, p = 0.004). No effect was found for the selective attention tests. However, there was an improvement in recall ability (SMD = 0.68, p = 0.003). Cycle and treadmill desks affect work performance, but most likely not due to a decrease in cognitive function. Further research is needed to determine whether the degree of work performance decline is acceptable, considering the many positive effects of implementing active workstations in the office environment.
Highlights
Performing regular physical activity (PA) is beneficial for the prevention of several chronic non-communicable diseases [1], such as cardiovascular diseases [2, 3] and metabolic syndrome [4, 5], butN
Studies were included in the meta-analysis if they met the following criteria: i) the study design was a randomized controlled trial, cross-over randomized trial or other prospective study design including a control group; ii) the study investigated the effects of either cycle or treadmill desks; iii) the participants were sedentary workers, aged between 18 and 65, with no medical conditions; iv) the outcome variables included measurements of work performance or cognitive function
The aim of this paper was to meta-analytically evaluate the work performance and cognitive function effects of interventions that allow typically sedentary workers to perform activities continuously during worktime. In these metaanalyses active wokstations significantly reduced typing speed and increased the number of typing errors, there was an improvement in recall ability
Summary
Performing regular physical activity (PA) is beneficial for the prevention of several chronic non-communicable diseases [1], such as cardiovascular diseases [2, 3] and metabolic syndrome [4, 5], butN. Active workstations have been proposed as an effective countermeasure While such interventions likely reduce sedentary time, concerns regarding the effects on work performance and cognitive function remain. OBJECTIVE: To use meta-analyis to critically evaluate the work performance and cognitive function effects of cycle and treadmill desks as workplace interventions against sedentary behavior. RESULTS: Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria Both interventions reduced typing speed (cycling: SMD = –0.35, p = 0.04; treadmill: SMD = –0.8, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Cycle and treadmill desks affect work performance, but most likely not due to a decrease in cognitive function. Further research is needed to determine whether the degree of work performance decline is acceptable, considering the many positive effects of implementing active workstations in the office environment
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