Trends are frequent in the health
world, but one that seems like it will be sticking around is Sit-Stand
Workstations. Adjustable standing desks are being found more frequently in
offices, colleges, and even grade school classrooms. In fact, I’m writing this
from a standing desk now! These desks allow the user to change the height of
their desk to transition between sitting and standing as desired. Sit-Stand Workstations
have been introduced to limit the amount of time that office employees and
students have to sit. Sitting has been linked to numerous chronic health
conditions including high blood pressure and blood sugar, excess body fat, and
abnormal cholesterol levels. Mayo Clinic reports that sitting for more than
eight hours can contribute to an increased risk of an obesity related death if
not supplemented with physical activity. Sit-Stand Workstations intend to
tackle this issue, but some worry there may be unintended consequences of
standing for long periods of time as well.
Some studies suggest that standing
does not burn significant additional calories or that you may develop increased
pain through a standing desk. These studies do provide data to support their
findings, but it is critical to understand the benefits and potential side
effects of a standing desk for your specific needs. Those who perform fine
motor tasks may find that a standing desk decreases their ability to accurately
perform. Others who have previously been living a very sedentary life may find
they develop back or foot pain without a slow introduction to standing desks.
If following the recommended guidelines of introducing standing desks in 30-minute
increments throughout a few days, though, the risk of increased pain is
severely decreased. In fact, with slow introduction for those who live
sedentary lives or for those who are active, standing desks can ultimately be
incredibly beneficial and even decrease back pain. They are not going to
dramatically slim your waist or make you drop ten pounds in a month, but they
can boost your overall wellness.
A randomized trial conducted by Stanford
looked at office employees who self-reported various levels of chronic back
pain. In those who used a standing desk for a 3-month period, levels of pain
were significantly decreased. Another review examined over 47 other studies to build
a broad outlook on the effectiveness of Sit-Stand Workstations. It was
determined that standing desks do mildly effect health outcomes and effectively
contribute to behavioral changes. Though the effects were minimal when it came
to productivity, it was determined that 22 of the studies relating to discomfort
indicated significantly important results. As we continue to study the effects
of sitting and standing on human health, more data will arise to demonstrate the
importance of either option and the health benefits.
Overall, a Sit-Stand Workstation is not a bad investment. You can potentially improve back pain, burn a few more calories, and work on your posture. Though the benefits may not be astounding and groundbreaking, there are enough to prove significant value. Getting a few extra moments standing and walking around in your day can benefit your overall wellness, and it’s a break from the monotony of sitting. Do you use a standing desk in your office or school? Let us know in the comments below!
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