The Effect of Task Complexity on Productivity with Seated, Standing and Walking Computer Workstations

Abstract

The knowledge economy and explosion of information technology have resulted in many computer-based workers who experience discomfort, cumulative trauma disorders, and tend to have a higher body mass index than manufacturing workers. The process of redesigning workstations to address these issues should include a study that evaluates the impact on productivity. This paper demonstrates that productivity evaluations of potential designs can utilize simple low-cost methods by assessing productivity with an input task based on Fitts' Tapping test. This research compares three computer workstation designs (seated, standing and walking) and shows that walking adversely affects productivity yet comparing seated and standing postures yields mixed results. For more simple tasks, the ideal posture is sitting while for more complex tasks the worker should be standing for improved productivity.