Effect of Standing or Walking at a Workstation on Cognitive Function A Randomized Counterbalanced Trial

Christina Bantoft; Mathew J Summers; Peter J Tranent; Matthew A Palmer; P Dean Cooley; Scott J Pedersen

doi:10.1177/0018720815605446

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Effect of Standing or Walking at a Workstation on Cognitive Function A Randomized Counterbalanced Trial

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Effect of Standing or Walking at a Workstation on Cognitive Function A Randomized Counterbalanced Trial

Christina Bantoft, Mathew J Summers, Peter J Tranent, Matthew A Palmer, P Dean Cooley and Scott J Pedersen

Human Factors, Vol.58(1), pp.140-149

2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0018720815605446

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Abstract

sitting

standing

walking

cognitive function

randomized control trial

Objective: In the present study, we examined the effect of working while seated, while standing, or while walking on measures of short-term memory, working memory, selective and sustained attention, and information-processing speed. Background: The advent of computer-based technology has revolutionized the adult workplace, such that average adult full-time employees spend the majority of their working day seated. Prolonged sitting is associated with increasing obesity and chronic health conditions in children and adults. One possible intervention to reduce the negative health impacts of the modern office environment involves modifying the workplace to increase incidental activity and exercise during the workday. Although modifications, such as sit-stand desks, have been shown to improve physiological function, there is mixed information regarding the impact of such office modification on individual cognitive performance and thereby the efficiency of the work environment. Method: In a fully counterbalanced randomized control trial, we assessed the cognitive performance of 45 undergraduate students for up to a 1-hr period in each condition. Results: The results indicate that there is no significant change in the measures used to assess cognitive performance associated with working while seated, while standing, or while walking at low intensity. Conclusion: These results indicate that cognitive performance is not degraded with short-term use of alternate workstations.

Details

Title: Effect of Standing or Walking at a Workstation on Cognitive Function A Randomized Counterbalanced Trial
Authors: Christina Bantoft (Author) - University of Tasmania
Mathew J Summers (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and Law
Peter J Tranent (Author) - University of Tasmania
Matthew A Palmer (Author) - University of Tasmania
P Dean Cooley (Author) - University of Tasmania
Scott J Pedersen (Author) - University of Tasmania
Publication details: Human Factors, Vol.58(1), pp.140-149
Publisher: Sage Publications Inc.
Date published: 2016
DOI: 10.1177/0018720815605446
ISSN: 0018-7208
Organisation Unit: School of Health; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Psychology; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449291802621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Behavioral Sciences; Engineering, Industrial; Ergonomics; Psychology; Psychology, Applied

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