Looking Into Benefits Of A Sit Stand Work Station

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The technology at our desk – phones, monitors and even chairs — has been evolving at blistering speeds, with the exception of one critical element:  the desk itself.

Computer work stations have become increasingly prevalent in today’s working environments, and workers are seated for longer periods of the day. All this sitting takes its toll — studies correlate more sedentary time with increasing chronic health risks.

That’s where the sit stand work station comes in, offering an alternative to get people out of the chair and on their feet. It’s become a hot topic, and (pardon the pun) a movement in the field of ergonomics.
What are some of the benefits of transitioning to a sit stand workstation?

In his book “Could You Stand to Lose,” Dr. Mark Benden draws from research and his many years of experience as an ergonomist to explore the benefits of integrating a sit stand workstation. One of the most compelling benefits he discusses is calorie expenditure. The bottom line: standing burns 40% more calories than sitting, so by getting on your feet for just two and half hours more per day, ...
... you’ll burn an extra 350 calories each day (Benden, 2008). For a 175 pound person, this can lead to twenty pounds or more of weight loss over one year according to Dr. Benden. With the proportion of overweight or obese Americans tipping the scale at epidemic-like numbers, leading to well over $100 billion in annual productivity losses to businesses, sit stand work stations look like a great way to trim the fat and could be a great addition to any company’s wellness program.

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But weight loss is only the beginning. Changing postures from sitting to standing throughout the day can have other benefits that are sure to please employees and employers alike. The 2007 ANSI 100 standard recognized four reference postures for computer workplaces, including standing. This is also recognition of a worker’s inclination to change postures, resulting in better comfort.

If you’re worried about lower back pain, standing can help. The pressure on your third and fourth lumbar vertebrae is reduced by almost half compared to slouching forward in an office chair. Standing for a portion of your work day will also lead to better blood flow, helping reduce the risk of other health conditions, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which is a blood clot that usually forms in the legs. The New Zealand Medical Journal published that 33% of hospital deep vein thrombosis cases can be attributed to people sitting at work for a large part of their day (as cited in Benden , 2008, p. 13). The better blood flow also affects your brain, keeping you more alert and more productive, which is sure to keep your employer happy.