The office ergonomic design from the late 1980s to the present has undergone significant changes during the transition from typewriters to the various human computer interfaces that evolved to the present day. Designs to accommodate various sized monitors and pointing devices have posed a challenge for ergonomist and designers of office workstations. Recent research suggesting adverse health effects associated with sedentary work environments have put additional pressure to incorporate the option to stand while working. This article reviews the current available options and suggests approaches to workplace design to meet the desire for employees to vary their work environment and the concern by management for worker health.
ThorpA, OwenN, NeuhausM, et al.Sedentary Behaviors and Subsequent Health Outcomes in Adults: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies, 1996-2011. Am J Prev Med. 2011;41:207–15.
2.
LeeP, WongF.The Association Between Time Spent in Sedentary Behaviors and Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Medicine. 2015;867–80.
3.
HamiltonMT, HamiltonDG, ZdericTW.Role of low energy expenditure and sitting in obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Diabetes. 2007;56:2655–67.
4.
DunstanDW, KingwellBA, LarsenR, et al.Breaking up prolonged sitting reduces postprandial glucose and insulin responses. Diabetes Care. 2012;35:976–83.
5.
CrichtonGE, AlkerwiA.Physical activity, sedentary behavior time and lipid levels in the Observation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Luxembourg study. Lipids Health Dis. 2015;14:87.
6.
DuncanGE.Exercise, fitness, and cardiovascular disease risk in type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. Curr Diab Rep. 2006;6:29–35.
7.
LoprinziPD.Sedentary behavior and medical multimorbidity. Physiol Behav. 2015;151:395–7.
WerthA, Babski-ReevesK.Effects of portable computing devices on posture, muscle activation levels and efficiency. Appl Ergon. 2014;45:1603–9.
11.
DillenH, PhillipsJG, MeehanJW.Kinematic Analysis of Cursor Trajectories Controlled With a Touchpad. Int J Hum Comput Interact. 2005;19:223–39.
12.
HutchingsDR, StaskoJ.Revisiting display space management: Understanding current practice to inform next-generation design. Proc Graph Interface. 2004;2004:279.
13.
OetjenS, ZiefleM.A visual ergonomic evaluation of different screen types and screen technologies with respect to discrimination performance. Appl Ergon. 2009;40:69–81.
KoeppGA, ManoharCU, McCrady-SpitzerSK, et al.Treadmill desks: A 1-year prospective trial. Obesity. 2013;21:705–11.
21.
Ben-NerA, HamannDJ, KoeppG, et al.Treadmill Workstations: The Effects of Walking while Working on Physical Activity and Work Performance. PLoS One. 2014;9:e88620.
22.
GoldhammerKA, DooleyDP, AyalaE, et al.Prospective Study of Bacterial and Viral Contamination of Exercise Equipment. Clin J Sport Med. 2006;16:34–8.
23.
AndersonG, PalomboEA.Microbial contamination of computer keyboards in a university setting. Am J Infect Control. 2009;37:507–9.
24.
Tudor-LockeC, HendrickCA, DuetMT, et al.Implementation and adherence issues in a workplace treadmill desk intervention. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2014;39: 1104–11.
25.
ThompsonWG, LevineJA.Productivity of transcriptionists using a treadmill desk. Work. 2011;40:473–7.
26.
JohnD, BassettD, ThompsonD, et al.Effect of Using a Treadmill Workstation on Performance of Simulated Office Work Tasks. J Phys Act Heal. 2009;6:617–24.
27.
StrakerL, LevineJ, CampbellA.The Effects of Walking and Cycling Computer Workstations on Keyboard and Mouse Performance. Hum Factors J Hum Factors Ergon Soc. 2009;51:831–44.
28.
StudebakerCD, MurphyBP.Prolonged Sitting Current Concepts on the Physiological Effects of Seated Postures at Work. Prof Saf. 2014;59:42–8.
29.
HallJ, MansfieldL, KayT, et al.The effect of a sit-stand workstation intervention on daily sitting, standing and physical activity: Protocol for a 12 month workplace randomised control trial. BMC Public Health. 2015;15:152.
30.
ChamR, RedfernMS.Effect of Flooring on Standing Comfort and Fatigue. Hum Factors J Hum Factors Ergon Soc. 2001;43:381–91.
