Whether the job is entry-level data entry or executive leadership, all office workspaces tend to have three things in common: A desk, a chair and a computer. Office jobs rarely entail any physical labor, but office workers are exposed to very real health risks.
Long-term sedentary behavior can lead to serious – and potentially fatal – health conditions, according to a study published last year in the Annals of Internal Medicine, even with regular exercise. They include cardiovascular issues, type 2 diabetes, and even cancer. And the World Health Organization lists physical inactivity as the fourth-leading cause of death worldwide.
Let’s put the scariest stuff, though. Sitting at a desk for extended periods of time can take its toll on your body’s health in more mundane ways, too.
“Obviously, there are some risks involved in sedentary work,” said Mike Chitwood, an occupational therapist and certified ergonomic assessment specialist with the St. Elizabeth Business Health Center. “A lot of time we get in poor postures, which causes a lot of stress on different muscle groups, body parts and joints. Carpal tunnel, cervical issues “” there can be all kinds of things that can come about if you’re working in a poor posture.”
Office workers are waking up to the risks, though, and non-traditional workspaces are becoming more common as a result. Some of them are effective, while other ideas that may seem good at first glance end up being counterproductive.
For example: Walking on a treadmill while working. Sure, you’re burning calories while you work. You’re not sitting down, so your posture’s not as much of an issue. But when it comes to multitasking, there’s a big difference between walking while chewing gum and walking while building a database.
“One of the hazards is, obviously, if you don’t pay attention to what you’re doing, you can fall on the treadmill,” Chitwood said.
Other workers have experimented with replacing their chairs with balance balls. While safer than the treadmill-desk idea, sitting on a balance ball while working can detract from your ability to focus on the task at hand. And though the risk of falling is lower, it’s not completely eliminated. After all, you’re still sitting on a spherical object.
Then there’s the bar-height desk, which allows workers to perform their duties while standing. That will minimize the health risks that come with sitting for extended periods, but standing all day can lead to fatigue. Fatigue is the enemy of productivity.
So what’s the best approach?
“A work surface that adjusts to you sitting and standing, that’s the optimal, in my opinion,” Chitwood said.
That might not be an option for all office workers. Workers in call centers and similar environments are sometimes forced to share their workspace with workers on other shifts. In those instances, the key is adjustability. A good chair that can be configured for height and correct posture is an office worker’s best friend.
