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BOB HIRSHON (host):
Standing on the job. I’m Bob Hirshon and this is Science Update.
Height adjustable desks that allow you to both sit and stand throughout the workday are gaining in popularity.
JAMES ROEMMICH (USDA-ARS/Grand Forks, ND):
You can move the desk up and down as you wish. And that helps break prolonged periods of sitting which are associated with adverse health effects such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
HIRSHON:
That’s USDA-ARS research physiologist James Roemmick. His team studied the impact of height adjustable desks on sedentary office workers.
ROEMMICH:
Before people were given the height adjustable desk, they were standing on average for about 2.2 hours per day. After they got the height adjustable desk, and they were able to stand as they wished, then it increased to 4.9 hrs per day, or an increase of 2.7 hours per day.
HIRSHON:
What’s more, the workers reported that they felt more creative and more productive when they were able to stand for part of the day. I’m Bob Hirshon, for AAAS, the science society.