It's just important to keep an eye on this research and be aware of the risks associated with standing while working. A 2017 meta-analysis found that standing workstations can help reduce lower back pain among office workers, which means no one has to take their standing workstation to the dumpster just yet. Prolonged standing should be undertaken with caution.Īlthough I didn't stick with a standing desk, it did help ease my back pain when I used one, which is in line with previous research. In a laboratory study involving 2 h prolonged standing discomfort increased (all body areas), reaction time and mental state deteriorated while creative problem-solving improved. Standing is being used to replace sitting by office workers however, there are health risks associated with prolonged standing. Researchers did find an improvement in creative problem-solving while standing, so all of the findings weren't negative.Įven though we'll need more research with a larger sample size before we can conclusively say whether standing desks are beneficial or harmful, the conclusion reached in this study definitely deserves our attention. If you're uncomfortable while working, it makes sense that you'll be less productive. The 20 study participants also reported a 'decreased mental state.' So what do the experts recommend? 'The observed changes suggest replacing office work sitting with standing should be done with caution,' the study says. They found that after just two hours of using a standing desk, physical discomfort sets in. Researchers from Curtin University in Australia looked at the potential downsides of a standing desk in the research, which is published in journal Ergonomics. But a new study has found that whether standing desks are good for you is up for a little bit of a debate.

The Mayo Clinic says standing desks can help alleviate some of the risks that come with sitting for long periods of time, like high blood pressure and increased blood sugar.

I only lasted a few days - I quickly realized I'm too lazy to stand for eight hours - but the health benefits of standing desks are widely touted. When I was dealing with back pain after a car accident, my physical therapist recommended trying a standing desk at work.

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