Newswise — Recent studies have suggested that sitting at the computer all day can negatively affect your health. Sit-stand computer workstations are intended to provide a healthier and more comfortable work environment. But how do you find the best setup of workstation components for a standing workstation? And should it be the same as the setup you use when you’re sitting down?

A new study published in Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society notes that - in the continuing development of guidelines for user-centered standing workstation configurations - users positioned their monitor, mouse, keyboard, and desk height to suit their individual differences. The researchers were interested in determining if a study using a psychophysical protocol could provide guidance for the development of guidelines similar to those for seated computer workstations. Researchers Michael Y. Lin and Paul Catalano at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, and Jack T. Dennerlein at Northeastern University designed a pilot ergonomics study with 20 adults ages 21 to 40 who alternated working at sitting and standing workstations in four testing periods of 45 minutes each. Every 11.25 minutes, the experimenters moved the setups, which the participants then readjusted to their most comfortable setup. Infrared light-emitting diodes were placed on each component and on the users’ head, torso and upper arm to assess when and where they moved the components.

The final standing workstation setups were unique to each participant. Furthermore, each was significantly different from the seated workstation setups, in that the desk and monitor were lower and the mouse and keyboard were closer to the body.

“The high adjustability of the sit-stand workstation allowed users to find their own ‘sweet spot.’ The sweet spot was different for standing than sitting,” noted Dennerlein. “We know that workstation setup is important for reducing discomfort of seated computer workers. However, standing is different from sitting. It was unclear to us if the user configurations would be different for standing. These results suggest that they are indeed different.”

This study, which was funded by the Office Ergonomics Research Committee (www.oerc.org), is an important step toward developing guidelines that will help people use sitting and standing workstations safely and productively, with the goal of minimizing musculoskeletal discomfort and, ultimately, reducing injury.

To receive a copy of this article for media-reporting purposes - or any of the articles in the Ergonomics in Design July 2015 special issue, “Combating the Sedentary Workplace” - contact HFES Communications Director Lois Smith (310/394-1811; [email protected]).

The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society is the world’s largest scientific association for human factors/ergonomics professionals, with more than 4,500 members globally. HFES members include psychologists and other scientists, designers, and engineers, all of whom have a common interest in designing systems and equipment to be safe and effective for the people who operate and maintain them. “Human Factors and Ergonomics: People-Friendly Design Through Science and Engineering.”

Plan to attend the HFES 2016 Annual Meeting, September 19-23, Washington, DC.

Journal Link: Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society