Previously Desk-Based Workers Perform Well Standing Up

Office workers spend as much as 85% of their time at work sitting. In this randomized trial, U.K. researchers evaluated the effect of a multicomponent intervention designed to reduce sitting time and health-related adverse outcomes. One hundred forty-five desk-based office workers (mean age, 41; 80% women) were randomized to intervention or control groups. Workers in the intervention group received height-adjustable workstations, sitting and standing time targets, feedback on activity, a self-monitoring tool, and coaching sessions. The control group continued usual working conditions.

The intervention significantly reduced sitting times at 3, 6, and 12 months (by 51, 64, and 83 minutes daily, respectively); standing times increased correspon…