The Effects of Walking Workstations on Biomechanical Performance

Abstract

Prolonged sitting has been associated with negative health effects. Walking workstations have become increasingly popular in the workplace. There is a lack of research on the biomechanical effect of walking workstations. This study analyzed whether walking while working alters normal gait patterns. A total of 9 participants completed 4 walking trials at 2.4 and 4.0 km·h: baseline walking condition, walking while performing a math task, a reading task, and a typing task. Biomechanical data were collected using standard motion capture procedures. The first maximum vertical ground reaction force, stride width, stride length, minimum toe clearance, peak swing hip abduction and flexion angles, peak swing and stance ankle dorsiflexion, and knee flexion angles were analyzed. Differences between conditions were evaluated using analysis of variance tests with Bonferroni correction (P ≤ .05). Stride width decreased during the reading task at both speeds. Although other parameters exhibited significant differences when multitasking, these changes were within the normal range of gait variability. It appears that for short periods, walking workstations do not negatively impact gait in healthy young adults.

Does treadmill workstation use affect user’s kinematic gait symmetry?

“…Although some studies suggested that work performance is not affected by walking concurrently [ 54 , 55 ], others, suggested the opposite [ 34 , 35 ]. These apparent contradictions most likely stem from differences in the type of tasks performed and their respective cognitive requirements.…”

“…First, the number of participants was relatively small, which would limit generalization. However, the sample size was projected based on a previous study describing the effects of walking workstations on biomechanical performance in nine participants [ 35 ], and differences between the tested conditions were statistically significant. Second, nine out of the ten participants were under 28 years old, and all participants reported a healthy lifestyle (exercised at least twice a week); hence, results may be limited to similar populations.…”

“…A single belt treadmill and a desktop computer were used to evaluate gait movements during a typing task. The workstation height was adjusted to each participant’s anthropometric dimensions to obtain the recommended standard elbow height [ 35 ]. A 10-camera motion capture system (Vicon MX, Oxford, UK) connected to a computer running Vicon Nexus software (version 2.10) was used to record motion data at 100 Hz.…”

“…A power analysis based on the study by Grindle et al [ 35 ], who described the effects of walking workstations on biomechanical performance in nine participants indicated that the projected sample size needed is approximately 10 participants with an alpha = 0.05, power = 0.8, and a sample ratio = 1. Four conditions corresponding respectively to overground walking, treadmill walking, as well as a computer typing task while walking on a treadmill workstation or standing on the still treadmill were tested in a random order.…”

Effects of Interrupting Sitting with Use of a Treadmill Desk Versus Prolonged Sitting on Postural Stability

“…Using a treadmill desk has shown limited effects on work performance and cognition in both chronic and acute interventions [11]. While studies have addressed the effect of different sitting positions on muscle activation and posture [12] and walking workstations on gait [13], limited research has examined biomechanical outcomes of interrupting sitting time. Miller and colleagues [14] reported walking and standing to elicit the same accumulated knee joint load, supporting the use of walking breaks due to greater energy expenditure over standing.…”