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Standing Up for Learning: A Pilot Investigation on the Neurocognitive Benefits of Stand-Biased School Desks

Author

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  • Ranjana K. Mehta

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Texas A&M School of Public Health, 1266 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1266, USA)

  • Ashley E. Shortz

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Texas A&M School of Public Health, 1266 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1266, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Mark E. Benden

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Texas A&M School of Public Health, 1266 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1266, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

Standing desks have proven to be effective and viable solutions to combat sedentary behavior among children during the school day in studies around the world. However, little is known regarding the potential of such interventions on cognitive outcomes in children over time. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the neurocognitive benefits, i.e. , improvements in executive functioning and working memory, of stand-biased desks and explore any associated changes in frontal brain function. 34 freshman high school students were recruited for neurocognitive testing at two time points during the school year: (1) in the fall semester and (2) in the spring semester (after 27.57 (1.63) weeks of continued exposure). Executive function and working memory was evaluated using a computerized neurocognitive test battery, and brain activation patterns of the prefrontal cortex were obtained using functional near infrared spectroscopy. Continued utilization of the stand-biased desks was associated with significant improvements in executive function and working memory capabilities. Changes in corresponding brain activation patterns were also observed. These findings provide the first preliminary evidence on the neurocognitive benefits of standing desks, which to date have focused largely on energy expenditure. Findings obtained here can drive future research with larger samples and multiple schools, with comparison groups that may in turn implicate the importance of stand-biased desks, as simple environmental changes in classrooms, on enhancing children’s cognitive functioning that drive their cognitive development and impact educational outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Ranjana K. Mehta & Ashley E. Shortz & Mark E. Benden, 2015. "Standing Up for Learning: A Pilot Investigation on the Neurocognitive Benefits of Stand-Biased School Desks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2015:i:1:p:59-:d:61088
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mark E. Benden & Hongwei Zhao & Christina E. Jeffrey & Monica L. Wendel & Jamilia J. Blake, 2014. "The Evaluation of the Impact of a Stand-Biased Desk on Energy Expenditure and Physical Activity for Elementary School Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-15, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Paula Schwenke & Michaela Coenen, 2022. "Influence of Sit-Stand Tables in Classrooms on Children’s Sedentary Behavior and Teacher’s Acceptance and Feasibility: A Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-18, May.
    2. Alexander L. Wallace & Ann M. Swartz & Chi C. Cho & Christine M. Kaiver & Ryan M. Sullivan & Krista M. Lisdahl, 2022. "Stand-Biased Desks Impact on Cognition in Elementary Students Using a Within-Classroom Crossover Design," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-10, May.
    3. Terry Guirado & Camille Chambonnière & Jean-Philippe Chaput & Lore Metz & David Thivel & Martine Duclos, 2021. "Effects of Classroom Active Desks on Children and Adolescents’ Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Academic Achievements and Overall Health: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-31, March.
    4. Mara Kirschner & Rianne H.J. Golsteijn & Sanne M. Sijben & Amika S. Singh & Hans H.C.M. Savelberg & Renate H.M. de Groot, 2021. "A Qualitative Study of the Feasibility and Acceptability of Implementing ‘Sit-To-Stand’ Desks in Vocational Education and Training," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-16, January.
    5. Ann M. Swartz & Nathan R. Tokarek & Scott J. Strath & Krista M. Lisdahl & Chi C. Cho, 2020. "Attentiveness and Fidgeting While Using a Stand-Biased Desk in Elementary School Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-13, June.
    6. Nathan R. Tokarek & Chi C. Cho & Scott J. Strath & Ann M. Swartz, 2022. "The Impact of Stand-Biased Desks on Afterschool Physical Activity Behaviors of Elementary School Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-12, June.
    7. Jolyn Ee & Sharon Parry & Beatriz IR de Oliveira & Joanne A. McVeigh & Erin Howie & Leon Straker, 2018. "Does a Classroom Standing Desk Intervention Modify Standing and Sitting Behaviour and Musculoskeletal Symptoms during School Time and Physical Activity during Waking Time?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-13, August.
    8. Tetsuhiro Kidokoro & Yasuo Shimizu & Kanako Edamoto & Michael Annear, 2019. "Classroom Standing Desks and Time-Series Variation in Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity among Primary School Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-12, May.

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