A recent study found that office workers can reduce their sitting time effectively using a new toolkit, which was deemed sustainable, cost-effective, and satisfying for participants.
The toolkit, inspired by successful Australian programs, involves discussing group-specific action strategies. Three strategies targeting the work environment, processes, or personal behaviours are then chosen through a voting process.
Strategies might involve changes in the physical environment (like relocating the coffee machine), organizational processes (such as default standing meetings), or individual behaviours (like setting movement reminders on mobile phones).
On average, office workers spend about 80% of their workday sitting, which poses health risks. Jannik Porath from Heidelberg University led the study analysing the toolkit's effectiveness at the German Cancer Research Centre.
Study participants, who are often confined to seated work locations, report having limited opportunities to change their work settings or to work while walking. Active workplaces allowing walking or cycling during work present a promising way to replace sitting time with not just standing but also light physical activity.