The Science of Sitting: How Active Workstations Can Improve Mental Cognition and Combat Health Risks

A new study led by Dr. Francisco Lopez-Jimenez at the Mayo Clinic suggests that incorporating “active workstations” into office settings could significantly reduce sedentary time and improve mental cognition. The research emphasizes the importance of integrating movement into the workday to combat the health risks associated with prolonged sitting, which many office workers face for up to eight hours a day.

The study involved 44 participants in a randomized clinical trial, who experienced different office settings over four days: sedentary, standing, walking, and using a stepper. The results showed that active workstations had minimal impact on typing speed and accuracy, addressing concerns businesses may have about implementing this type of change in the workplace.

Despite little to no negative impact on productivity, companies that introduce more active workstations could see significant improvements in their employees’ health and well-being. This could potentially lead to a positive indirect effect on productivity as well. Businesses looking to enhance the health of their employees and boost productivity may consider incorporating active workstations into their office settings.