Effects of intermittent standing during desk work using a height-adjustable desk on discomfort of the body, subjective fatigue and lower-leg swelling.

Abstract

Effects of introducing intermittent standing during desk work were studied by examining lower-leg swelling, subjective fatigue and performance. Twelve students (6 males and 6 females) carried out a computer task ( transcription task) for two hours in three conditions: 1) sitting, 2) sitting-standing (twice repeating 20-min standing and 40-min sitting) and 3) standing. The circumference of the left lower leg, subjective fatigue including sleepiness and symptoms of discomfort in the body parts were recorded at 20 min, 60 min, 80 min and 120 min after the beginning of the task. Fatigue of the feet was prominent in the standing condition and decreased in sitting and sitting-standing conditions. Fatigue of the hips was prominent in the sitting condition and tended to decrease in sitting-standing and standing conditions. Sleepiness tended to decrease during sitting-standing compared to that during sitting. Lower leg swelling was the smallest after sitting-standing, significantly smaller than in the case of the sitting condition.