“Your posture is the key to your personal and professional foundation.”
– Cindy Ann Peterson
Professor Alan Hedge has published several research papers analyzing the health impact on individuals using sit-stand ergonomic workstations and the rate of productivity. He found that low impact movement and transitioning from sitting to standing positions (3.6 times per day) throughout the workday lead to an average of 62% decrease in musculoskeletal complaints. [1] The overall feedback from employees on sit-stand was very positive. The study participants were asked to rate the level of discomfort in their regular seated workstation position in their feet, legs, knees, thighs, buttocks, hands, wrist, lower arms/elbows, lower back middle back, upper back, shoulders, neck and eyes. The same participants were asked to rate the level of discomfort post sit-stand workstation after 3 months of use. Each region of the body showed decreased discomfort levels post sit-stand workstation over 3 months of time, plus, reduced mid-morning and early afternoon to end of day discomfort complaints. [1] The takeaway message from Professor Hedge is sit-stand workstations can be beneficial for your overall health and wellbeing. [1, 8]
Health Benefits [1, 8]
- Varied work posture
- Reduced upper body discomfort
- Reduced foot swelling
- Increased productivity taking fewer and shorter breaks
- Improved musculoskeletal conditions (i.e. back pain)
- Decreased back pain
- Increased circulation and blood flow
Ergonomic Friendly Setup
Distance: Place your monitor about 20 inches in front of you, or at arm’s length. Putting it too close will strain your eyes, while placing it too far away may make you slouch forward in an attempt to read what’s on the screen.
Angle: Your monitor should be placed at an angle of about 10 to 20 degrees. A greater angle will cause you to hold your head at an uncomfortable angle, leading to neck strain.
Height: the top line of your screen should be at or below eye level. Tilting your head back to try to read your monitor can lead to headaches and neck pain.
Lighting: If you’re lucky enough to have a window in your office space, try to avoid facing it or sitting with your back to it. Placing your monitor and desk perpendicular to the window works best. Whatever kind of lighting you use, position the monitor so that there is no distracting glare.
Monitors often come fixed to their stands, making them hard to adjust. Fortunately, there are plenty of adjustable monitor stands available, and it’s relatively easy to improvise something as well. You can try stacking books or reams of printer paper to see what works for you. Once you know what you need, you can go looking for a more permanent solution.
Selecting A Desk
Finding the right desk specific for you and your needs is subjective. We recommend making a list of what are the key features that are the most important for you and your workstation needs. We accessed each desk based on the following criteria:
- Keyboard space
- Ease of use
- Overall stability
- Ergonomics
- Workstation capacity
- Build quality
- Warranty
- Budget
Cora Standing Desk Converter (retails for $149 from Fully)
- No wobble at maximum height
- High quality product
- Desk weight capacity is 22 lbs
- Two color top options
- Free shipping
- 30-day return
VariDesk Laptop (retails for € 175 from Vari)
- Nine different height settings
- Manual lift mechanism
- Desk weight capacity is 15 lbs
- Pre assembled
- 1 year warranty
- No shipping within EU countries
- Free returns within 30-days
Cooper Standing Desk Converter (retails for $299 from Fully)
- Practical and function standing desk option
- Desk weight capacity of 35 lbs
- Two color top options
- Free shipping
- 30-day return
E7 Electric Standing Desk Converter (retails for $439 from Uplift)
- One to three monitors mounted to device
- Weighs almost 100 lbs and takes up 26 inches of desk depth
- Quickly switch between seated height and standing height with the touch of a button
- 5 year warranty
VariDesk Tall 40 (retails for € 550 from Vari)
- Fully assembled
- Two-tier surface for display and keyboard/mouse
- Manually switch positions using handles
- 30-day returns with free shipping to EU countries
VariDesk Cube Corner 36 (retails for €485 from Vari)
- Pre assembled
- Desk weight capacity is 35 lbs
- Two-tier design for display and lower for keyboard/ mouse
- Solid and stable base
- Manually switch positions using handles
- 30-day returns with free shipping to EU countries
- 5 year warranty
We have more blogs specific about setting up an ergonomic friendly office workstation related to keyboards, chairs, mats, electric vs. manual standing desk converters, bicycling vs. treadmill desk options and more. If you found this blog post helpful please share with your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors.
We have additional blog post specific to pilates, pre/post natal, bone building for osteoporosis/osteopenia, mindful meditation, restorative yoga therapy, partner and endurance training. We believe in treating the whole person with a holistic approach and blend our knowledge and training of movement, nutrition, massage therapy and traditional chinese medicine.
We love teaching mindful movement and are here to support you in your journey. We offer customized online remote training from anywhere in the world. Contact us today to get started and learn to move with less pain and greater ease. We look forward to partnering with you and answering your movement questions and/or concerns.
Assumption of the Risk: By attempting any of the exercises, you do so at your own risk. We make no representations, guarantees or warranties that the information or exercises on this blog are appropriate for you or will result in improvements of your medical condition or function.
Not medical advice or physical therapy. This content is intended to provide information and instructions on general exercises that may help increase strength, mobility, and function for specific areas of the body. It is not intended to be a substitute for obtaining a medical diagnosis or medical or physical therapy advice from a qualified licensed provider. You should seek medical advice from a qualified physician or physical therapist before trying any of the exercises or self-treatment suggestions on this blog, particularly if your pain is from a traumatic injury or event.
References
- HEDGE, A., Sitting and Standing at Work.
- BAILEY, D., HEWSON, D., CHAMPION, R. and SAYEGH, S., 2019. Sitting Time and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 57(3), pp. 408-416.
- BUCKLEY, J.P., HEDGE, A., YATES, T., COPELAND, R.J., LOOSEMORE, M., HAMER, M., BRADLEY, G. and DUNSTAN, D.W., 2015. The sedentary office: a growing case for change towards better health and productivity. British Journal of Sports Medicine,.
- COMMISSARIS, D. A. C. M, KÖNEMANN, R., HIEMSTRA-VAN MASTRIGT, S., BURFORD, E.-., BOTTER, J., DOUWES, M. and ET AL, 2014. Effects of a standing and three dynamic workstations on computer task performance and cognitive function tests. Applied Ergonomics, 45(6), pp. 1570-1578.
- DUNSTAN, D.W., THORP, A.A. and HEALY, G.N., 2011. Prolonged sitting: is it a distinct coronary heart disease risk factor? Current Opinion Cardiology Journal, 26(5), pp. 412-419.
- SCHMID, D. and COLDITZ, G., 2014. Sedentary behavior increases the risk of certain cancers . Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 106(7),.
- HAMILTON, M.T., HAMILTON, D.G. and ZDERIC, T.W., 2007. Role of Low Energy Expenditure and Sitting in Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, Type 2 Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Disease. Diabetes, 56, pp. 2655-2667.
- HEDGE, A. and RAY, E.J., Sept. 20-24, 2004. Effects of an electronic height-adjustable worksurface on self-assessed musculoskeletal discomfort and productivity among computer workers, HFES, Sept. 20-24, 2004 Sept. 20-24, 2004, pp. 1091-1095.
- KARAKOLIS, T. and CALLAGHAN, J.P., 2014. The impact of sit-stand office workstations on worker discomfort and productivity: a review. Appl Ergon, 45(3), pp. 799-806.
- KRAUSE, N., LYNCH, J.W., KAPLAN, G.A., COHEN, R.D., SALONEN, R. and SALONEN, J.T., 2000. Standing at work and progression of carotid atherosclerosis. . Scand J Work Environ Health, 26(3), pp. 227-236.
- PRONK, N.P., KATZ, A.S., LOWRY, M. and PAYFER, J.R., 2012. Reducing Occupational Sitting Time and Improving Worker Health: The Take-a-Stand Project, 2011. Prev Chronic Dis, 9(110323),.
- ROBERTSON, M.M., CIRIELLO, V.M. and GARABET, A., 2013. Office ergonomics training and a sit-stand workstation: Effects on musculoskeletal and visual symptoms and performance of office workers. Applied Ergonomics, 44(1), pp. 73-85.
- TÜCHSEN, F., HANNERZ, H., BURR, H. and KRAUSE, N., 2005. Prolonged standing at work and hospitalisation due to varicose veins: a 12 year prospective study of the Danish population. Occup Environ Med., 62(12), pp. 847-850.
- TÜCHSEN, F., KRAUSE, N., HANNERZ, H., BURR, H. and KRISTENSEN, T.S., 2000. Standing at work and varicose veins. . Scand J Work Environ Health, 26(5), pp. 414-420.
- WILKS, S., MORTIMER, M. and NYLÉN, P., 2005. The introduction of sit–stand worktables; aspects of attitudes, compliance and satisfaction. App. Erg, 37(3), pp. 359-365.