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The Short Term Musculoskeletal and Cognitive Effects of Prolonged Sitting During Office Computer Work

Author

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  • Richelle Baker

    (School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Faculty of Health Science, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia)

  • Pieter Coenen

    (School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Faculty of Health Science, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia
    Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University Medical Center, 1081 Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Erin Howie

    (School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Faculty of Health Science, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia
    Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA)

  • Ann Williamson

    (School of Aviation, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia)

  • Leon Straker

    (School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Faculty of Health Science, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia)

Abstract

Office workers are exposed to high levels of sedentary time. In addition to cardio-vascular and metabolic health risks, this sedentary time may have musculoskeletal and/or cognitive impacts on office workers. Participants (n = 20) undertook two hours of laboratory-based sitting computer work to investigate changes in discomfort and cognitive function (sustained attention and problem solving), along with muscle fatigue, movement and mental state. Over time, discomfort increased in all body areas (total body IRR [95% confidence interval]: 1.43 [1.33–1.53]) reaching clinically meaningful levels in the low back and hip/thigh/buttock areas. Creative problem solving errors increased (β = 0.25 [0.03–1.47]) while sustained attention did not change. There was no change in erector spinae, trapezius, rectus femoris, biceps femoris and external oblique median frequency or amplitude; low back angle changed towards less lordosis, pelvis movement increased, and mental state deteriorated. There were no substantial correlations between discomfort and cognitive function. The observed changes suggest prolonged sitting may have consequences for musculoskeletal discomfort and cognitive function and breaks to interrupt prolonged sitting are recommended.

Suggested Citation

  • Richelle Baker & Pieter Coenen & Erin Howie & Ann Williamson & Leon Straker, 2018. "The Short Term Musculoskeletal and Cognitive Effects of Prolonged Sitting During Office Computer Work," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:8:p:1678-:d:162359
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nirjhar Dutta & Gabriel A. Koepp & Steven D. Stovitz & James A. Levine & Mark A. Pereira, 2014. "Using Sit-Stand Workstations to Decrease Sedentary Time in Office Workers: A Randomized Crossover Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-13, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Martin Niedermeier & Elisabeth M. Weiss & Lisa Steidl-Müller & Martin Burtscher & Martin Kopp, 2020. "Acute Effects of a Short Bout of Physical Activity on Cognitive Function in Sport Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-13, May.
    2. Dengler, Katharina & Hiesinger, Karolin & Tisch, Anita, 2022. "Digital transformation: The role of computer use in employee health," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 46(C).
    3. Yoko E. Fukumura & Julie McLaughlin Gray & Gale M. Lucas & Burcin Becerik-Gerber & Shawn C. Roll, 2021. "Worker Perspectives on Incorporating Artificial Intelligence into Office Workspaces: Implications for the Future of Office Work," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Gail Helena Nicolson & Catherine B. Hayes & Catherine D. Darker, 2021. "A Cluster-Randomised Crossover Pilot Feasibility Study of a Multicomponent Intervention to Reduce Occupational Sedentary Behaviour in Professional Male Employees," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-23, September.
    5. Rungthip Puntumetakul & Thiwaphon Chatprem & Pongsatorn Saiklang & Arisa Leungbootnak, 2023. "The Effect of Two Types of Back Pillow Support on Transversus Abdominis and Internal Oblique Muscle Fatigue, Patient Satisfaction, and Discomfort Score during Prolonged Sitting," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-11, February.
    6. Antimo Moretti & Fabrizio Menna & Milena Aulicino & Marco Paoletta & Sara Liguori & Giovanni Iolascon, 2020. "Characterization of Home Working Population during COVID-19 Emergency: A Cross-Sectional Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-13, August.
    7. Sara Moreira & Maria Begoña Criado & Maria Salomé Ferreira & Jorge Machado & Carla Gonçalves & Cristina Mesquita & Sofia Lopes & Paula Clara Santos, 2022. "The Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on the Perception of Physical Activity and on the Perception of Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Computer Workers: Comparative Longitudinal Study Design," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-14, June.
    8. Sara Moreira & Maria Begoña Criado & Maria Salomé Ferreira & Jorge Machado & Carla Gonçalves & Filipe Manuel Clemente & Cristina Mesquita & Sofia Lopes & Paula Clara Santos, 2022. "Positive Effects of an Online Workplace Exercise Intervention during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Quality of Life Perception in Computer Workers: A Quasi-Experimental Study Design," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-16, March.
    9. Žiga Kozinc & Nejc Šarabon, 2020. "Shear-wave elastography for assessment of trapezius muscle stiffness: Reliability and association with low-level muscle activity," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(6), pages 1-14, June.

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