Ergonomics training coupled with new Sit-Stand workstation implementation influences usage.

Currently, there is no guidance on the training programme approach that should be provided to new sit-stand workstation users to optimally integrate workstation usage patterns into their working day. The objective of this research study was to determine if a training programme could influence long-term usage of sit-stand workstations. Thirty-five employees from the University of Waterloo volunteered to participate in this longitudinal study. Two different types of training programmes were delivered: (1) an example from industry and (2) based on current literature. There was an influence of training programme on the frequency of sit to stand transitions made each day. Those who received the additional training programme also reported sitting less, standing more and used their sit-stand workstations more consistently day-to-day than those who did not. Practitioner Summary: A longitudinal study was conducted to assess the impact of training programmes on sit-stand workstation usage. A training programme based on current literature resulted in more consistent sit-stand usage than an industry example.

The need to accommodate monitor height changes between sitting and standing.

Recently, the rate at which sit-to-stand workstations are being introduced into the workplace has seen a dramatic increase. Aside from adjusting the height of the desk when transitioning from sitting to standing, there is a lack of literature regarding the necessary adjustments to other equipment associated with the workstation. To better understand some of these limitations, 16 participants stood and sat at a sit-to-stand workstation while adhering to current Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Guidelines for Office Ergonomics. Transitioning between sitting and standing while adhering to CSA guidelines resulted in a 3.9 cm difference in monitor height relative to work surface between sitting and standing. Results from this investigation support the notion that monitor height adjustments relative to the work surface are necessary when utilising sit-to-stand workstations - with the implementation to practice message being that both sitting and standing configurations need to be assessed and accommodated in the workstation configuration. Practitioner summary: Limited guidelines exist in the necessary adjustments to equipment associated with sit-to-stand workstations. Transitioning between sitting and standing resulted in a 3.9 cm difference in monitor height relative to work surface between sitting and standing. This supports that monitor height adjustments relative to the workstation are necessary when using sit-to-stand workstations.

Does proactive cyclic usage of a footrest prevent the development of standing induced low back pain?

Various interventions, such as standing intermittently with one leg on a footrest, have been suggested to prevent low back pain (LBP) development during prolonged standing. To assess this standing intervention twelve participants stood for 80 min while cycling through three minute periods of level-ground standing divided by one minute periods with either the right or left leg elevated onto a platform. All participants had previously participated in a prolonged level standing protocol and were classified as pain (PD) or non-pain developers (NPD). Out of the six known PDs, only one PD developed LBP by the end of the standing intervention. The intervals of elevated leg standing resulted in increased lumbar spine flexion in comparison to level standing. In addition, over time there was an increase in lumbar spine flexion during the level standing intervals. This change in lumbar spine posture in standing pain developers likely contributed to the reduced LBP development during this prolonged standing intervention.

Influence of input device, work surface angle, and task on spine kinematics.

BACKGROUND: With the increase of tablet usage in both office and industrial workplaces, it is critical to investigate the influence of tablet usage on spine posture and movement. OBJECTIVE: To quantify spine kinematics while participants interacted with a tablet or desktop computer. METHODS: Fourteen participants volunteered for this study. Marker clusters were fixed onto body regions to analyze cervical and lumbar spine posture and sampled at 32 Hz (Optotrak Certus, NDI, Waterloo, Canada). Participants sat for one hour in total. Cervical and lumbar median angles and range of motion (10th to 90th % ile angles) were extracted from amplitude probability distribution functions performed on the angle data. RESULTS: Using a sloped desk surface at 15°, compared to a flat desk, influenced cervical flexion (p = 0.0228). Completing the form fill task resulted in the highest degree of cervical flexion (p = 0.0008) compared to the other tasks completed with cervical angles between 6.1°-8.5° higher than emailing and reading respectively. An interaction between device and task (p = 0.0061) was found for relative lumbar median spine angles. CONCLUSIONS: Increased lumbar flexion was recorded when using a computer versus a tablet to complete various tasks. Task influenced both cervical and lumbar spine posture with the highest cervical flexion occurring while completing a simulated data entry task. A work surface slope of 15° decreased cervical spine flexion compared to a horizontal work surface slope.

Influence of Input Hardware and Work Surface Angle on Upper Limb Posture in a Hybrid Computer Workstation.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effect of work surface angle and input hardware on upper-limb posture when using a hybrid computer workstation. BACKGROUND: Offices use sit-stand and/or tablet workstations to increase worker mobility. These workstations may have negative effects on upper-limb joints by increasing time spent in non-neutral postures, but a hybrid standing workstation may improve working postures. METHOD: Fourteen participants completed office tasks in four workstation configurations: a horizontal or sloped 15° working surface with computer or tablet hardware. Three-dimensional right upper-limb postures were recorded during three tasks: reading, form filling, and writing e-mails. Amplitude probability distribution functions determined the median and range of upper-limb postures. RESULTS: The sloped-surface tablet workstation decreased wrist ulnar deviation by 5° when compared to the horizontal-surface computer when reading. When using computer input devices (keyboard and mouse), the shoulder, elbow, and wrist were closest to neutral joint postures when working on a horizontal work surface. The elbow was 23° and 15° more extended, whereas the wrist was 6° less ulnar deviated, when reading compared to typing forms or e-mails. CONCLUSION: We recommend that the horizontal-surface computer configuration be used for typing and the sloped-surface tablet configuration be used for intermittent reading tasks in this hybrid workstation. APPLICATION: Offices with mobile employees could use this workstation for alternating their upper-extremity postures; however, other aspects of the device need further investigation.