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THE EFFECTIVENESS OF STANDING ON A BALANCE BOARD FOR INCREASING ENERGY EXPENDITURE

Abstract

M.C. Nelson, M.P. Casanova, K. Eason, E. Biancosino, C.A. Vella, FACSM

University of Idaho, Moscow, ID

It is estimated that occupational energy expenditure has decreased by 100 kcal·d-1. Analogous to sitting, too much standing that is static with little movement poses health risks. Innovative technologies such as balance boards have been developed for use within an office setting to replace sitting and encourage movement while standing, yet little is known whether physiological benefits exist or if productivity is affected. PURPOSE: To investigate differences in energy expenditure (EE), heart rate (HR), productivity, fatigue, and pain while performing desk work while sitting (SIT), standing (STAND), and standing on a balance board (BOARD). METHODS: Thirty healthy adults (60% female; age 39.7 ± 11.8 y; BMI 26.7 ± 5.0 kg·m-2) employed in sedentary-based jobs volunteered for this randomized crossover trial. Participants performed typing work in three different positions: SIT, STAND, and BOARD; each condition lasting 30 min. Oxygen consumption (VO2) was measured via indirect calorimetry and EE was calculated using respiratory quotient and corresponding caloric equivalent values. Productivity was quantified by measuring words typed per min, accuracy, and typing mistakes. Overall feelings of fatigue and pain were self-reported three times during each position using validated 10-cm visual analog scales. Repeated measures ANOVA were used to assess differences in outcome variables across conditions. RESULTS: VO2was significantly different among all conditions regardless of current standing desk use (SIT 3.35 ± 0.53; STAND 3.77 ± 0.48; BOARD 3.92 ± 0.54 mL·kg-1·min-1, p<0.001). EE (kcal·min-1) also differed (p<0.001) among SIT (1.27 ± 0.22), STAND (1.42 ± 0.26) and BOARD (1.48 ± 0.29). Compared to sitting (67 ± 9 bpm), HR was higher in STAND (76 ± 11 bpm) and BOARD (76 ± 11 bpm, p<0.001). Measures of productivity were similar across conditions (p>0.05). Mean self-reported fatigue and pain levels were similar across conditions (p>0.05). Fatigue progressively increased over each 30 min condition (p<0.001) whereas pain in SIT and BOARD increased from min 10 to 20, then leveled off between min 20 to 30. For STAND, pain continued to increase over time. CONCLUSION: Compared with sitting, a balance board may be effective for increasing EE without interfering with productivity in an occupational setting.

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