Does a dynamic chair increase office workers' movements? - Results from a combined laboratory and field study.
OBJECTIVE
Dynamic chairs have the potential to facilitate movements that could counteract health problems associated with sedentary office work. This study aimed to evaluate whether a dynamic chair can increase movements during desk-based office work.


METHODS
Fifteen healthy subjects performed desk-based office work using a dynamic office chair and compared to three other conditions in a movement laboratory. In a field study, the dynamic office chair was studied during three working days using accelerometry.


RESULTS
Equivocal results showed that the dynamic chair increased upper body and chair movements as compared to the conventional chair, but lesser movements were found compared to standing. No differences were found between the conditions in the field study.


CONCLUSIONS
A dynamic chair may facilitate movements in static desk-based office tasks, but the results were not consistent for all outcome measures. Validation of measuring protocols for assessing movements during desk-based office work is warranted.
Karolinska Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Physiotherapy, Stockholm, Sweden; Functional Area Occupational Therapy & Physiotherapy, Allied Health Professionals Function, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: Wim.Grooten@ki.se.
Wilhelmus J A
WJA
Grooten
Karolinska Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Physiotherapy, Stockholm, Sweden; Functional Area Occupational Therapy & Physiotherapy, Allied Health Professionals Function, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Center for Clinical Research Dalarna, Falun, Sweden.
Björn O
BO
Äng
Karolinska Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Physiotherapy, Stockholm, Sweden; Functional Area Occupational Therapy & Physiotherapy, Allied Health Professionals Function, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Maria
M
Hagströmer
Karolinska Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Physiotherapy, Stockholm, Sweden; Functional Area Occupational Therapy & Physiotherapy, Allied Health Professionals Function, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
David
D
Conradsson
Karolinska Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Physiotherapy, Stockholm, Sweden.
Håkan
H
Nero
Karolinska Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Physiotherapy, Stockholm, Sweden; Functional Area Occupational Therapy & Physiotherapy, Allied Health Professionals Function, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Erika
E
Franzén
D061725:Accelerometry; D000328:Adult; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D016272:Occupational Health; D011187:Posture; D011897:Random Allocation; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D060726:Torso / Q000502:physiology; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult
Dynamic sitting; Ergonomics; Sit-stand desk