香港六合彩中特网

Vincent Walsh, Professor of Human Brain Research was approached by Posturite to carry out a series of behavioural experiments for a group of typically sedentary office workers.

People use sit-stand desks for many different reasons

Some to combat back pain symptoms, others to prevent sitting-related health problems. But Posturite, a specialist in ergonomic furniture and equipment, wanted to explore whether sit-stand desks also have a bearing on us psychologically. Can the simple act of moving between sitting to standing throughout the day impact our cognitive functions and change the way we work?

To find out, Posturite reached out through 香港六合彩中特网 Consultants to Vincent Walsh, Professor of Human Brain Research. He devised a series of behavioural experiments for a group of 15 typically sedentary office workers. The workers were asked to carry out the tasks twice: once at the start of the five-day trial, and again at the end. During the five days, the workers were asked to use Posturite鈥� s new portable Opl酶ft sit-stand platforms instead of their usual static desks.

What did the research find?

The office workers achieved significantly better results in the majority of tasks after a week of using Opl酶ft.

Professor Walsh said 鈥渙ur research revealed that workers using Opl酶ft were twice as competent in their decision-making skills, and their language-based problem skills improved by 64%. They also completed tasks measuring concentration and vigilance 10% faster and made 45% fewer mistakes. Their creativity also improved by 28%.鈥�

While previous studies have highlighted the physical health benefits of increased activity - such as reduced risk of musculoskeletal disorders, obesity and cardiovascular diseases - this is the first study of its kind to look at how productivity and emotional wellbeing may be enhanced with access to sit-stand desks at work.

Professor Walsh鈥檚 tests were designed to measure the following abilities:

Concentration and attention span

• Task: a visual search test inviting participants to find the odd one out.
• Participants performed the task 10% faster and 45% more accurately after five days of Opl酶ft use.

Decision-making

• Task: a version of the BART (balloon analogue risk test).
• With Opl酶ft use, the participants鈥� judgement was deemed twice as reliable, making them half as likely to make a critical mistake. They also behaved less impulsively.

Improved verbal fluency

• Task: A problem-solving anagram challenge.
• Participants demonstrated better language-based problem-solving skills with the use of sit-stand desks, showing a 64% improvement from the beginning of the trial.

Positive frame of mind

• Task: An emotional stroop test.
• Unhappier people typically have a slower response to negatively emotional words when taking this test; however, Opl酶ft users demonstrated a quicker reaction to negative words, suggesting a state of happiness.

Openness to creativity

• Task: A RAT (remote associate) test involving word association.
• Participants scored 28% higher in this creative thinking test while using Opl酶ft, compared to when they were using static workstations.

Professor Walsh added, "The research was fairly conclusive in proving that having access to Opl酶ft made people more productive. 聽However, the greatest excitement was the results of the test for attention and concentration levels. Not only did our triallists perform much faster after using Opl酶ft, but there was also a strong increase in their accuracy. People usually trade off accuracy when speed is increased, but Opl酶ft users were able to improve both, which is impressive, and something I have never witnessed before.

Equally impressive was the results of the decision-making test. Not only did Opl酶ft users perform better than average but they continued to improve throughout the week, which is very uncommon in this specific test.鈥�

What does this mean for office workers?

Currently it's estimated that only 1% of UK workers use sit-stand desks, compared to 90% of Scandinavians.聽 With mounting evidence support the physical and psychological benefits of moving at work, it is possible that static workstations will soon become a thing of the past.

Posturite鈥� s CEO Ian Fletcher-Price views Opl酶ft as a revelation in sit-stand desk design. Not only does it give users the ability to stand to work, but it is also slim and light enough to be easily transported between environments.

He added further, 鈥渇or centuries we have gone to work. Now, thanks to portable technology, work goes with us. The days of sitting at one desk all day are long gone. With Opl酶ft we no longer need to be slaves to our desks because it goes where we go. Agile working gives us the freedom to choose how and where we do our work, Opl酶ft gives us the practical means to achieve that.鈥�

Bj枚rn Christianson, of 香港六合彩中特网 Consultants, commented: 鈥淭here鈥檚 a growing interest in mental wellness and its impact on productivity. 聽 This project was an exciting opportunity, working with a partner that recognises the importance of physical and mental wellness to demonstrate that a company鈥檚 investment in giving their employees control over their workplace can lead to substantial returns.鈥�

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Photo: 香港六合彩中特网鈥檚 Professor of Human Brain Research Vince Walsh 漏 Barcroft Media Barcroft Media via Getty Images