title: Muscle activity patterns and spinal shrinkage in office workers using a sit-stand workstation versus a sit workstation.
abstract: Reducing sitting time by means of sit-stand workstations is an emerging trend, but further evidence is needed regarding their health benefits. This cross-sectional study compared work time muscle activity patterns and spinal shrinkage between office workers (aged 24-62, 58.3% female) who used either a sit-stand workstation (Sit-Stand group, n = 10) or a traditional sit workstation (Sit group, n = 14) for at least the past three months. During one typical workday, muscle inactivity and activity from quadriceps and hamstrings were monitored using electromyography shorts, and spinal shrinkage was measured using stadiometry before and after the workday. Compared with the Sit group, the Sit-Stand group had less muscle inactivity time (66.2 ± 17.1% vs. 80.9 ± 6.4%, p = 0.014) and more light muscle activity time (26.1 ± 12.3% vs. 14.9 ± 6.3%, p = 0.019) with no significant difference in spinal shrinkage (5.62 ± 2.75 mm vs. 6.11 ± 2.44 mm). This study provides evidence that working with sit-stand workstations can promote more light muscle activity time and less inactivity without negative effects on spinal shrinkage. Practitioner Summary: This cross-sectional study compared the effects of using a sit-stand workstation to a sit workstation on muscle activity patterns and spinal shrinkage in office workers. It provides evidence that working with a sit-stand workstation can promote more light muscle activity time and less inactivity without negative effects on spinal shrinkage.
authors: a Department of Biology of Physical Activity, Neuromuscular Research Center , University of Jyväskylä , Jyväskylä , Finland.
authors: Ying
authors: Y
authors: Gao
authors: a Department of Biology of Physical Activity, Neuromuscular Research Center , University of Jyväskylä , Jyväskylä , Finland.
authors: Neil J
authors: NJ
authors: Cronin
authors: a Department of Biology of Physical Activity, Neuromuscular Research Center , University of Jyväskylä , Jyväskylä , Finland.
authors: Arto J
authors: AJ
authors: Pesola
authors: a Department of Biology of Physical Activity, Neuromuscular Research Center , University of Jyväskylä , Jyväskylä , Finland.
authors: Taija
authors: T
authors: Finni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003201:Computers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D013131:Spine / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Sit–stand workstation; muscle inactivity and muscle activity; office workers; spinal shrinkage