Implementation of Active Workstations in University Libraries—A Comparison of Portable Pedal Exercise Machines and Standing Desks

Tardif, Camille Bastien; Cantin, Maude; Sénécal, Sylvain; Léger, Pierre‐Majorique; Labonté-LeMoyne, Élise; Begon, Mickaël; Mathieu, Marie‐Ève

doi:10.3390/ijerph15061242

Cited by 14 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…College students have reported that using standing desks increases attention, focus, alertness and engagement, and reduces restlessness and boredom (Bastien Tardif et al, 2018;Finch et al, 2017;Jerome et al, 2017), findings which are largely supported by results in this study. Students also mentioned that standing desks helped improve back pain, which is an encouraging finding.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…Furthermore, studies of standing desks in classrooms have provided a largely positive consensus among students and teachers, with very little negative feedback regarding their use (Sherry et al, 2016). Others have found acceptability for using standing desks in college classrooms (Benzo et al, 2016;Laine et al, 2017) and university libraries (Bastien Tardif et al, 2018), and in this study, all but one student reported they would use a standing desk in a classroom.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 54%

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Assessing sitting and standing in college students using height-adjustable desks

Chrisman

Reddy

et al. 2020

Health Education Journal

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Objective: To examine if Arduino microcontrollers and Fitbits can serve as proxy measures for the direct observation of sitting and standing time in college students using height-adjustable standing desks. The preferred type of standing desks and reasons to use the desks were also assessed. Design: Classroom-based intervention, plus cross-sectional survey. Setting: Mid-sized Midwestern US university classroom. Method: Students were randomised to either a tabletop or stand-alone height-adjustable standing desk. They followed an alternating sit/stand protocol, then completed an 11-item questionnaire on preferences and reasons for or against using the desks. Data were collected in October 2018. Results: Twenty-two students completed the protocol (16 women; 15 in third or fourth year of study). Arduinos provided accurate representation of sitting. Correlations between Fitbits and Arduinos were moderate (.23–.49). Sixteen of the 22 participants preferred tabletop (vs stand-alone) height-adjustable desks. Main reasons to use standing desks were to improve health and preferring to stand. Main reasons for not using them were being tired and preferring to sit. Conclusion: Arduinos served as an adequate stand-in for direct observation, which has implications for studying the sedentary behaviours of large numbers of students simultaneously. More research is needed on using Fitbits for assessing sitting and standing time. Student preferences and reasons for/against using standing desks provide foundational evidence for standing desk interventions in this population.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 54%

Assessing sitting and standing in college students using height-adjustable desks

Chrisman

Reddy

et al. 2020

Health Education Journal

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“…At the same time, more than half of the students noted an increase in attention and a decrease in agitation during class and more than a third noted an improvement in engagement and a reduction in boredom and fatigue. Similarly, a Canadian study showed the feasibility of implementing standing or pedal-operated workstations in university libraries 18 . While such However, to our knowledge, no study has been conducted on the implementation of such devices in French universities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feasibility and acceptability of “active” classroom material among French university students and lecturers: a pilot study

Grosprêtre¹,

Ennequin²,

Peseux

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Background: Sedentary lifestyles are a plague of today's society in terms of physical, psychosocial and cognitive health. Students are particularly at risk because they spend most of their daily time sitting and inactive. The current pedagogical model must be rethought in order to promote their health, well-being and therefore their success. The objective of this project was to equip one classroom of the sport university with various active workstations (steppers, pedalboards, cycling desk, Swiss-ball, etc...) and to evaluate the feasibility and the influence of this type of material on cognitive and psychological factors of the students and to collect the feedback of lecturers during this experience. The global adherence to such material among students and lecturers also need to be assessed before generalizing the use of such material, which represent a certain cost for institutions. Methods: A total of 663 students and 14 lecturers took part in a survey that aims at evaluating various aspects of lecture’s quality after their first experience in the classroom. Results: The majority of students and lecturers reported positive effects of such material, by a reduction in fatigue, distraction and boredom. The most plebiscited materials were the cycling-desks and the swiss balls. Finally, 89.4 % of students were in favor of using active material in future lectures if they had the possibility to, as well as 71% of lecturers, demonstrating the global acceptance of such material. Conclusion: The present study brings promising results toward a more general implementation of such material in universities. Once a familiarization period is observed, such material in classroom could help prevent the deleterious effect of sedentary behavior as well as promoting a more active dailylife for the future workers represented by students.

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“…More than a third noted an improvement in engagement and a reduction in boredom and fatigue. Similarly, a Canadian study showed the feasibility of implementing standing or pedal-operated workstations in university libraries [ 27 ], while Benzo and colleagues reported the overall acceptability of university students and lecturers of introducing standing desks in classrooms [ 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feasibility and acceptability of “active” classroom workstations among French university students and lecturers: a pilot study

et al. 2021

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Background Sedentary lifestyles plague today’s society in terms of physical, psychosocial and cognitive health. Students are particularly at risk because they spend most of their daily time sitting and inactive. The current pedagogical model must be rethought in order to promote students’ health, well-being and therefore their success. The objective of this project was to equip one classroom of the sport science department at a university with various active workstations (standing desks, Swiss balls, cycling desks, pedal- or stepper-board) and to evaluate the feasibility and influence of these types of active workstations on the cognitive and psychological factors of the students, and to collect the feedback of lecturers during this experience. Methods Participation in the study was voluntary and students had the opportunity to choose or not to use an active workstation during lectures. A total of 663 students and 14 lecturers completed a survey to evaluate subjective feelings about physical, psycho-cognitive and academic aspects after their first experience with active workstations in the classroom. Results The majority of students and lecturers reported positive effects of active workstations in reducing fatigue, distraction, and boredom. The preferred active workstations were the cycling desks and the Swiss balls. Finally, 89.4% of students favoured using active workstations in future lectures if they had the option, as well as 71% of lecturers, demonstrating the acceptance of such active workstations. Conclusion The present study brings promising results toward a more general implementation of active workstations in universities. Once a familiarisation period is observed, having such workstations in the classroom could help prevent the deleterious effect of sedentary behaviour and promote a more active daily life for the future.

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Implementation of Active Workstations in University Libraries—A Comparison of Portable Pedal Exercise Machines and Standing Desks

Cited by 14 publications

References 26 publications

Assessing sitting and standing in college students using height-adjustable desks

Assessing sitting and standing in college students using height-adjustable desks

Feasibility and acceptability of “active” classroom material among French university students and lecturers: a pilot study

Feasibility and acceptability of “active” classroom workstations among French university students and lecturers: a pilot study

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