Acute Effects of Interrupting Sitting on Discomfort and Alertness of Office Workers

J Occup Environ Med. 2018 Sep;60(9):804-809. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001329.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of 4 hours of sitting interrupted with hourly bouts of standing and/or pedaling versus uninterrupted sitting on alertness and discomfort among sedentary office workers.

Methods: Fifteen middle-aged sedentary workers were randomized to three 4-hour conditions: (1) uninterrupted sitting; (2) sitting interrupted with 10 minutes of standing/hour; and (3) sitting interrupted with 10 minutes of pedaling/hour. Self-reported measures of alertness and discomfort were collected.

Results: Uninterrupted sitting significantly increased discomfort (P < 0.001). Discomfort was lower in both the standing (P < 0.001) and pedaling (P < 0.001) conditions than the uninterrupted sitting condition. Short-lived improvements in alertness were observed immediately following several standing (50%) and pedaling (100%) interruptions.

Conclusion: Prolonged sitting increases discomfort while brief standing and pedaling interruptions attenuate impairments in discomfort among sedentary workers.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arousal*
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Movement*
  • Musculoskeletal Pain / etiology*
  • Musculoskeletal Pain / prevention & control
  • Random Allocation
  • Sitting Position*
  • Sleepiness
  • Standing Position*
  • Time Factors