Introducing a Dynamic Workstation in the Office: Insights in Characteristics of Use and Short-Term Changes of Well-Being in a 12 Week Observational Study

Abstract

The present field study evaluates the use of dynamic workstations (cycling devices) in a real-life office environment. Specific characteristics of use were recorded and possible relationships with short-term changes in well-being were investigated. For a period of 12 weeks, 36 employees were given free access to eight devices. Frequency, duration and speed of use were self-determined but registered objectively for every event of use. Immediately before and after using a cycling device, employees rated their well-being with a modified version of the EZ-scale from Nitsch to assess changes in the short-term. In total, 817 events of use were registered. On each day of the intervention period one of the devices was used. Participants used the devices between one day to all days present at the office, for 21.09 (SD 0.58) to 31.58 (SD 2.19) minutes on average per event of use per day. Comparing the pre- and post-measurements, a significant increase in well-being after using a cycling device was found. Results of a Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) analysis showed mixed effects for the duration of use, the speed and variation of speed on the probability of reporting positive changes in recovery, calmness and mood. Therefore, using cycling devices in the office might improve short-term well-being.

Physical Activity through a Classroom-Based Intervention: A Pragmatic Non-Randomized Trial among Swedish Adolescents in an Upper Secondary School

“…During lectures in English and math, the exposure consisted of (1) low-intensity PA breaks of 5 min twice per lecture, and (2) classroom adjustments consisting of standing tables, desk bikes, and additional equipment such as balance pads, exercise balls, and elastic resistance bands. Activity breaks served to interrupt longer sessions of ST, during which the additional equipment served to facilitate unstructured PA, and the use of desk bikes can increase levels of LPA [ 19 ]. Lectures in math were scheduled three times per week, and in English two times per week, all extended by 10 min to enable activity breaks (i.e., a total extension of 50 min per week).…”

Workshop Gesundheitsgefährdung durch langes Sitzen am Arbeitsplatz – Teil II Betriebliche Lösungsansätze

“…Die Ergebnisse der Studien zeigten signifikante Erhöhungen der physischen Aktivität (PAI) und des Energieumsatzes bei regelmäßiger Nutzung der Geräte [9]. Auch wurden prinzipielle Anzeichen für positive Effekte auf das psychische Wohlbefinden gefunden [10,11], hier sind jedoch weitere systematische Untersuchungen notwendig. Bezüglich der Arbeitsleistung und kognitiven Leistungsfähigkeit wurden vergleichbare Ergebnisse zur vorherigen Laboruntersuchung gefunden: objektiv gemessen gab es keine Beeinträchtigungen während der Nutzung [Schellewald et al in Vorbereitung].…”