Workout at work: laboratory test of psychological and performance outcomes of active workstations.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the psychological and performance benefits of walking workstations compared to other workstation types in a workplace setting.
Results Summary
Participants using walking workstations reported higher satisfaction and arousal, and lower boredom and stress compared to passive workstations. Cycling workstations showed reduced satisfaction and performance, while BMI and exercise habits did not moderate these effects.
Population
Office workers (n = 180)
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
walking workstations | increase | satisfaction | participants in the walking condition | - | had higher satisfaction | #1 |
walking workstations | increase | arousal | participants in the walking condition | - | had higher arousal | #2 |
walking workstations | decrease | boredom | participants in the walking condition | - | experienced less boredom | #3 |
walking workstations | decrease | stress | participants in the walking condition | - | experienced less stress | #4 |
cycling workstations | decrease | satisfaction | - | - | tended to relate to reduced satisfaction | #5 |
cycling workstations | decrease | performance | - | - | tended to relate to reduced performance | #6 |
With growing concerns over the obesity epidemic in the United States and other developed countries, many organizations have taken steps to incorporate healthy workplace practices. However, most workers are still sedentary throughout the day--a major contributor to individual weight gain. The current study sought to gather preliminary evidence of the efficacy of active workstations, which are a possible intervention that could increase employees' physical activity while they are working. We conducted an experimental study, in which boredom, task satisfaction, stress, arousal, and performance were evaluated and compared across 4 randomly assigned conditions: seated workstation, standing workstation, cycling workstation, and walking workstation. Additionally, body mass index (BMI) and exercise habits were examined as moderators to determine whether differences in these variables would relate to increased benefits in active conditions. The results (n = 180) showed general support for the benefits of walking workstations, whereby participants in the walking condition had higher satisfaction and arousal and experienced less boredom and stress than those in the passive conditions. Cycling workstations, on the other hand, tended to relate to reduced satisfaction and performance when compared with other conditions. The moderators did not impact these relationships, indicating that walking workstations might have psychological benefits to individuals, regardless of BMI and exercise habits. The results of this study are a preliminary step in understanding the work implications of active workstations.