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Moving to an “Active” Biophilic Designed Office Workplace: A Pilot Study about the Effects on Sitting Time and Sitting Habits of Office-Based Workers

Author

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  • Birgit Wallmann-Sperlich

    (Institute for Sports Science, Julius-Maximilian University Würzburg, 97082 Würzburg, Germany)

  • Sophie Hoffmann

    (Institute for Sports Science, Julius-Maximilian University Würzburg, 97082 Würzburg, Germany)

  • Anne Salditt

    (Interface Deutschland GmbH, Krefeld, 47803 Krefeld, Germany)

  • Tanja Bipp

    (Work, Industrial, and Organizational Psychology, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany)

  • Ingo Froboese

    (Institute of Health Promotion and Clinical Movement Science, German Sport University Cologne, 50933 Cologne, Germany)

Abstract

Promising initial insights show that offices designed to permit physical activity (PA) may reduce workplace sitting time. Biophilic approaches are intended to introduce natural surroundings into the workplace, and preliminary data show positive effects on stress reduction and elevated productivity within the workplace. The primary aim of this pilot study was to analyze changes in workplace sitting time and self-reported habit strength concerning uninterrupted sitting and PA during work, when relocating from a traditional office setting to “active” biophilic-designed surroundings. The secondary aim was to assess possible changes in work-associated factors such as satisfaction with the office environment, work engagement, and work performance, among office staff. In a pre-post designed field study, we collected data through an online survey on health behavior at work. Twelve participants completed the survey before (one-month pre-relocation, T 1 ) and twice after the office relocation (three months (T 2 ) and seven months post-relocation (T 3 )). Standing time per day during office hours increased from T 1 to T 3 by about 40 min per day ( p < 0.01). Other outcomes remained unaltered. The results suggest that changing office surroundings to an active-permissive biophilic design increased standing time during working hours. Future larger-scale controlled studies are warranted to investigate the influence of office design on sitting time and work-associated factors during working hours in depth.

Suggested Citation

  • Birgit Wallmann-Sperlich & Sophie Hoffmann & Anne Salditt & Tanja Bipp & Ingo Froboese, 2019. "Moving to an “Active” Biophilic Designed Office Workplace: A Pilot Study about the Effects on Sitting Time and Sitting Habits of Office-Based Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:9:p:1559-:d:228156
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tonia Gray & Carol Birrell, 2014. "Are Biophilic-Designed Site Office Buildings Linked to Health Benefits and High Performing Occupants?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-19, November.
    2. Paula van Dommelen & Jennifer K Coffeng & Hidde P van der Ploeg & Allard J van der Beek & Cécile R L Boot & Ingrid J M Hendriksen, 2016. "Objectively Measured Total and Occupational Sedentary Time in Three Work Settings," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(3), pages 1-13, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Deborah Lefosse & Arjan van Timmeren & Carlo Ratti, 2023. "Biophilia Upscaling: A Systematic Literature Review Based on a Three-Metric Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-34, November.
    2. Gabriela Gonçalves & Cátia Sousa & Maria Jacinta Fernandes & Nuno Almeida & António Sousa, 2023. "Restorative Effects of Biophilic Workplace and Nature Exposure during Working Time: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(21), pages 1-15, October.
    3. Beatriz Rodríguez-Roca & Fernando Urcola-Pardo & Ana Anguas-Gracia & Ana Belén Subirón-Valera & Ángel Gasch-Gallén & Isabel Antón-Solanas & Ana M. Gascón-Catalán, 2021. "Impact of Reducing Sitting Time in Women with Fibromyalgia and Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-11, June.

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