Sit–stand desks in call centres: Associations of use and ergonomics awareness with sedentary behavior

ObjectiveTo investigate whether or not use of sit–stand desks and awareness of the importance of postural variation and breaks are associated with the pattern of sedentary behavior in office workers.MethodThe data came from a cross-sectional observation study of Swedish call centre workers. Inclinometers recorded ‘seated’ or ‘standing/walking’ episodes of 131 operators over a full work shift. Differences in sedentary behavior based on desk type and awareness of the importance of posture variation and breaks were assessed by non-parametric analyses.Results90 (68.7%) operators worked at a sit–stand desk. Working at a sit–stand desk, as opposed to a sit desk, was associated with less time seated (78.5 vs 83.8%, p = 0.010), and less time taken to accumulate 5 min of standing/walking (36.2 vs 46.3 min, p = 0.022), but no significant difference to sitting episode length or the number of switches between sitting and standing/walking per hour. Ergonomics awareness was not associated with any sedentary pattern variable among those using a sit–stand desk.ConclusionUse of sit–stand desks was associated with better sedentary behavior in call centre workers, however ergonomics awareness did not enhance the effect.

► Access to a sit–stand desk was associated with less sedentariness.
► Ergonomics awareness did not have any further effects on sedentary behavior.
► The benefits of supportive work environments and improved awareness need investigating.