Standing for extended periods of time can be challenging for some people, while others have no problem with it. If you fall into the second category, a height-adjustable desk might be the ideal piece of furniture for your office. It is exactly what it sounds like: a desk that can adjust its height so that you can work at different levels while standing at it.
If you don't choose the right adjustable desk for yourself and your office space, you could end up with back pain or other health issues. Because of this, it's important to think about how comfortable the desk will make you when you're making your selection.
In this article, we'll take a look at some of the characteristics of these desks and discuss the ways in which they could be useful to people who struggle with working at different heights as well as those who simply want the option to do so. Also, if you are interested in learning more about height adjustable desks, be sure to pay a visit to our site.
Health Benefits of Height-Adjustable Desks
A Reduction in Back Pain
Many people who spend their days in an office report experiencing pain, especially in their backs. Stress, both mental and physical, has been related to discomfort in the lower back. Check this list of Melbourne builder services to help you make an informed decision for your treatment.
Multiple studies have shown that standing workstations help workers who suffer from back discomfort significantly. Another CDC-published study found that using a standing workstation could lessen upper back and neck pain by as much as 54% after just four weeks.
And, of course, the converse is equally true, as common sense would demand. Reverting back to prolonged sitting at a conventional desk height within two weeks after removing standing workstations can undo any health benefits from using a height-adjustable or flexible desk.
Height-Adjustable Desks Improve Well-Being
In a seven-week study, those who used height-adjustable workstations reported significantly lower levels of stress and fatigue compared to those who worked from a stationary position.
In addition, 87% of office workers who were given the option to use standing workstations reported feeling more energised as a result.
When they were directed to return to their original work stations, however, their moods and attitudes dropped to where they had been before the study began.
Sedentary lifestyles have been linked to higher risk of mental health problems like depression and anxiety, and this study supports that association.
Adjustable Desks Increase Productivity Levels
It's understandable that those who have never used a height-adjustable workstation would worry that it would hinder their ability to do common chores like typing.
However, people who have made the shift from sitting at a desk all day to standing at a height-adjustable desk report little to no change in their ability to carry out routine duties, such as typing speed.
Standing desks are proven to increase productivity due of their positive psychological effects on their users.
Preventing Unhealthy Weight Gain
If you are even remotely familiar with the term "couch potato," then you know exactly what we mean by "this." Spending the day in a sedentary position, even if it's just at a desk working on a computer, is not good for calorie burning.
In comparison to sitting, which can lead you to burn anywhere from 60 to 102 calories each hour (the actual figure will depend on your weight, of course), standing will cause you to burn roughly seven to ten calories more.
You might not even notice the slight increase or decrease in caloric expenditure. A week, a month, or a year may not seem like a long time, but the difference might add up to a lot.
Height-Adjustable Desks Lower the Risk of Developing Cardiovascular Disorders
This is hardly a novel concept, having been initially proposed in 1953. According to the results of a study that contrasted bus drivers and conductors, conductors had a mortality risk from cardiovascular disease that was only half that of their sedentary colleagues who were in control of the wheels.
Because of this study, researchers have begun to pay more attention to the negative effects of sitting for long periods of time on cardiovascular health.
Time spent sitting has been linked to a 147% increase in the chance of getting cardiovascular disease, and this is now widely regarded as fact. Furthermore, the detrimental effects of a sedentary lifestyle are not fully counteracted by even an hour of vigourous physical activity.
They Likely Help Reduce Blood Sugar Levels
After eating, a spike in blood sugar is generally not a good sign. If you have type 2 diabetes, this is extremely important to remember.
But according to a study done on office workers, those who stood for three hours after lunch had a 43% decrease in blood sugar spike compared to those who stayed sat.
Another study found that alternating between standing and sitting every 30 minutes throughout the workday reduced blood sugar rises by about 11%.
Meanwhile, studies have shown that sitting for long periods of time after eating might increase the chance of acquiring type II diabetes by as much as 112%.
Standing While Working Can Add Years to Your Life
As was previously noted, a sedentary lifestyle is significantly correlated with an elevated risk of early death, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Conversely, increasing one's level of physical activity improves one's odds of losing weight and improving one's health in general. Research suggests that if the average American sat for no more than three hours every day, their life expectancy would increase by two years.
Previous studies and the existing evidence demonstrate that simply standing more can assist contribute to general improvements in one's health, while more research is needed to establish a cause and effect relationship between increased activity and longer lifespans.
Height-Adjustable Health Benefits Are Hard to Ignore
They are making the drastic change from sitting to standing all day, which is not as healthy as exercising regularly.
Continuing in this manner increases your risk of developing leg, back, neck, or foot pain. Instead, you should take it slow and ease into it by starting with 30-60 minutes of standing per day and working up from there.
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If you tend to stand for long periods of time at once, setting an alarm to go off will act as a subtle reminder to switch from standing to sitting.
You should also evaluate your daily routine to see which tasks are better accomplished while standing up. You can get the most out of a standing desk or a workstation that can be adjusted to your height when you go about your daily tasks in this way.
The incorporation of standing desks or workstations that can be adjusted to a standing position into the workplace should be seen as a way to provide employees more leeway in terms of how they choose to sit at their desks.
Employees will get the most out of their desks if they can adapt them to their individual heights and other physical requirements.
Natural to Move While Working
The underlying cause of the problem that affects most computer workstations in use today is that the human body was built to be in motion and not to be sedentary for lengthy periods of time. The opposite of our instincts would be to do this. Because it improves circulation and reduces muscular tiredness, movement is crucial for maintaining healthy spinal discs.
To combat static muscular tiredness, it may be necessary to actually use the muscles. Standing and walking both enhance blood flow to tired muscles, which helps revive fatigued muscles. The latest research suggests that people get up and move about for at least five minutes every hour.
Sitting Positions
The health risks associated with sitting for lengthy amounts of time during the day are real, regardless of how well you manage your sitting position. Long-sitting individuals had roughly a threefold higher mortality risk from cardiovascular disease than their shorter-sitting counterparts. This was one of the major takeaways from a study that surveyed over 73,000 female participants.
Standing Position
Intervertebral disc pressure is substantially less when we are standing compared to when we are sitting without back support. However, your body will tyre out quicker when standing as opposed to sitting because standing utilises roughly 20% more energy.
Sitting and Standing
It is crucial that we alternate between sitting and standing on a regular basis to maintain good health and prevent illness. In order to mitigate the harmful effects of risk factors, it is important to engage in regular physical activity, which may be accomplished by adjusting the load placed on the body and increasing the number of rest intervals that are tailored to individual body parts.
A Body in Motion Is a Healthy Body
Three times as many calories are burned while you're on your feet than when you're sitting. According to studies conducted at the Mayo Clinic, you can burn an extra 340 calories each day if you stand for just two hours of your workday.
Height Adjustable Desks
Instead than forcing a diversified workforce to conform to one or two fixed desk configurations, managers may simply accommodate a wide variety of people (aged, disabled, fat, 5th and 95th percentile) with height adjustable desks. Sit-stand workstations, or height-adjustable desks, have become increasingly common in recent years. With this flexibility, users may keep their bodies in their ideal "Neutral Posture" as they work. To maximise strength and productivity, your body should be in what is called the "Neutral Posture" as you work.
With a desk that can be adjusted in height, the user can find the ideal working posture for their body.
Workers who sit, stand, and switch positions throughout the day have more stamina, feel less tired, and are less likely to get an injury from being in the same posture for too long. Furthermore, height-adjustable desks enable many users to swiftly modify the desk's height to match their individual needs.
Those employees who are unable to take a short break from their desks every hour will profit greatly from the use of a sit-stand desk, which allows them to change their position without leaving their workspace. Having a desk to work at will be a huge boon for these employees. One preventative action that businesses can take to reduce the number of workplace injuries is to provide their employees with adjustable-height desks.
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Although investing in an adjustable desk is a long-term commitment, the enhanced productivity it provides and the savings on workers' compensation costs often more than offset the initial outlay. Ergonomically optimised workstations may reduce or eliminate some workplace-related stressors.
Conclusion
It can be difficult for some people to remain upright for long periods of time. Standing at a desk that can be adjusted in height is a great way to get some extra work done. Researchers have shown that those who use standing desks experience less back discomfort and less stress. Those who use a height-adjustable desk report minimal to no improvement in typing velocity. The psychological benefits of working at a standing desk have been shown to boost productivity.
They help prevent post-lunch sugar surges and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. The risks of dying prematurely, developing diabetes type II, and developing cardiovascular disease are all greatly increased in those who lead inactive lives. One's chances of losing weight and improving one's health in general can be enhanced by increasing one's degree of physical activity. Maximize the benefits of a standing desk or workstation by having it customised to your height. As a species, we are not meant to spend a lot of time sitting around.
Tired muscles can be revitalised through standing and walking due to the increase in blood flow to those areas. While walking, you burn three times as many calories as while you're sitting. With the help of height-adjustable desks, managers may make the workplace comfortable for a wide range of employees, including those in the 5th and 95th percentiles of the body mass index. In this way, users can maintain their prefered "Neutral Posture" throughout the day. The height of a height-adjustable desk can be quickly changed to accommodate the needs of several users.
Content Summary
- If you fall into the second category, a height-adjustable desk might be the ideal piece of furniture for your office.
- If you don't choose the right adjustable desk for yourself and your office space, you could end up with back pain or other health issues.
- In this article, we'll take a look at some of the characteristics of these desks and discuss the ways in which they could be useful to people who struggle with working at different heights as well as those who simply want the option to do so.
- However, people who have made the shift from sitting at a desk all day to standing at a height-adjustable desk report little to no change in their ability to carry out routine duties, such as typing speed.
- Spending the day in a sedentary position, even if it's just at a desk working on a computer, is not good for calorie burning.
- Another study found that alternating between standing and sitting every 30 minutes throughout the workday reduced blood sugar rises by about 11%.
- Meanwhile, studies have shown that sitting for long periods of time after eating might increase the chance of acquiring type II diabetes by as much as 112%.
- As was previously noted, a sedentary lifestyle is significantly correlated with an elevated risk of early death, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
- Conversely, increasing one's level of physical activity improves one's odds of losing weight and improving one's health in general.
- You should also evaluate your daily routine to see which tasks are better accomplished while standing up.
- You can get the most out of a standing desk or a workstation that can be adjusted to your height when you go about your daily tasks in this way.
- The health risks associated with sitting for lengthy amounts of time during the day are real, regardless of how well you manage your sitting position.
- It is crucial that we alternate between sitting and standing on a regular basis to maintain good health and prevent illness.
- Sit-stand workstations, or height-adjustable desks, have become increasingly common in recent years.
- With a desk that can be adjusted in height, the user can find the ideal working posture for their body.
- One preventative action that businesses can take to reduce the number of workplace injuries is to provide their employees with adjustable-height desks.
Height Adjustable Desk FAQs
- Electric adjustment. Electric adjustable desks are much easier to raise and lower than hydraulic or hand-crank models. To adjust the height, press the up or down button. Electric standing desks also raise and lower more smoothly than manual options, so you don’t have to worry about the items on your desk’s surface falling off as you adjust the height.
- Anti-collision feature. While an adjustable height desk is in motion, whether raising or lowering, it could collide with objects in its path, like windowsills or cabinets. An electric standing desk with an anti-collision feature will stop the desk’s movement if it senses something in its way—a great feature for those who have children or pets that come into your workspace.
- Memory preset options. The Rise Up has a control panel with four memory presets that work a bit like the ones on your car radio. You raise or lower the desk to the right height for you and program a preset button for that height. When you want to adjust the desk’s height, press the reset button you configured, and the desk automatically adjusts to that position.
- Crossbar. A crossbar that connects the legs toward the middle of the desk frame provides optimal stability, which reduces wobbling and shaking.
- Dual motors. Electric adjustable desks with a single motor can be noisier and slower than those with a motor in each leg. Single-motor adjustable desks may also have a lower weight limit.
Advantages to the employee
- • Fewer chronic problems
- • Improved working environment
- • Avoidance of monotonous postures
- • Activation of heart, circulation and the intestinal system
- • Prevention of muscle inactivity
- • Circulation of the disc tissue
- • Comfortable working posture
- Better comfort = higher degree of satisfaction
- Advantages to the company
- Increased motivation and job satisfaction
- Increased performance and efficiency
- Long-term decrease of absenteeism due to illness
- Increased product and service quality
- Improved internal communication and cooperation
- Image upgrade for the company
- Falling failure rate
- Cost optimization through desk sharing
- A more dynamic and efficient working style
Height range. BIFMA suggests an optimal range being 22.6″ to 48.7″, but it will depend upon the height and needs of the individual using the desk. If people share the sit-stand desk, it’s best to find a desk with a large range. For info on measuring for a sit-stand desk, click here.
Depth. A 30″ depth is advisable as a minimum, but this is considering that people will want to spread out their work. If that’s not an issue, you can look at smaller footprints. Additionally, bear in mind there are often multiple options for the shape of the work surface.
Noise. Is the mechanism loud and disruptive, or is it unobtrusive? For example, when sit-stand desks are noisy, they are often not utilized for fear of disturbing colleagues.
Ease of movement. There are numerous ways to raise and lower desks, from hand cranks to electric or pneumatic lifts. The latter two being the quietest, efficient, and easy to use.
Speed. How quickly does it raise/lower. Obviously, the quicker the speed, the more often people will adjust their worksurfaces throughout the day.
Power. Make sure if you choose a height-adjustable desk that requires power that you have easy access to electricity.
Leg fatigue. One common complaint from people using sit-stand desks is that they get tired standing. Some strategies include; wearing supportive shoes, adding a riser to support one foot while standing, adding a gel mat and encouraging people to slowly build up their tolerance by incrementally adding to the time they stand.
Weight. Each desk has its weight restrictions. Make sure the desk can handle your equipment.
Programmability. Some desks are easily programmed to different settings, making them easy to set the proper ergonomics.
Functionality. Factoring in whether the aesthetic fit into your office environment as well as considering whether the desk can accommodate privacy screens, lighting or tool rails all will impact usability
And of course, lastly, you have to consider pricing, which can vary dramatically within the height adjustable desk category. The best course of action is to balance functionality using the above factors with your office rollout strategy.
Manufacturers offer a variety of options for today’s modern office, considering different options balanced with the price point. There’s never been a better time to consider a sit-stand desk for your office environment. There’s a lot of choice in the market right now, and with the right evaluation criteria, you can make an informed decision!
Standing doesn't count as exercise, and, unlike running or cycling, there is there is no evidence that simply standing at work improves cardiovascular health.
Regularly practicing standing core exercises is essential to sculpting your midsection and reducing belly fat.