Int J Sports Med 2019; 40(13): 871-875
DOI: 10.1055/a-0975-9313
Orthopedics & Biomechanics
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

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

Laura H. Charalambous
1   Institute for Sport and Physical Activity Research, School of Sport Science and Physical Activity, University of Bedfordshire, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
,
Rachael B. Champion
1   Institute for Sport and Physical Activity Research, School of Sport Science and Physical Activity, University of Bedfordshire, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
,
Lindsey R. Smith
1   Institute for Sport and Physical Activity Research, School of Sport Science and Physical Activity, University of Bedfordshire, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
,
Andrew C. S. Mitchell
1   Institute for Sport and Physical Activity Research, School of Sport Science and Physical Activity, University of Bedfordshire, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
,
Daniel P. Bailey
1   Institute for Sport and Physical Activity Research, School of Sport Science and Physical Activity, University of Bedfordshire, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
07 October 2019 (online)

Abstract

High amounts of sitting increase the risk of non-communicable disease and mortality. Treadmill desks make it possible to reduce sitting during the desk-based workerʼs day. This study investigated the acute effect on postural stability of interrupting prolonged sitting with an accumulated 2-h of light-intensity treadmill desk walking. Twenty-one sedentary adults participated in this randomized acute crossover trial, with two 6.5 h conditions: 1) uninterrupted sitting and 2) interrupted sitting with accumulated 2 h light-intensity treadmill desk walking. Pre- and post-condition, participants performed four postural stability tests on a pressure plate (bipedal and unipedal standing stance, eyes open and eyes closed). Anteroposterior center of pressure amplitude showed a significant condition x time interaction in bipedal eyes closed (F(1,20)=4.62, p=0.046) and unipedal eyes open (F(1,20)=9.42, p=0.006) tests, and mediolateral center of pressure amplitude in bipedal eyes closed (F(1,20)=6.12, p=0.023) and bipedal eyes open (F(1,12)=5.55, p=0.029) tests. In the significant interactions, amplitude increased pre to post condition in the uninterrupted sitting condition. The accumulated 2 h light-intensity treadmill desk walking ameliorated the negative effect of 6.5 h prolonged sitting on postural sway, supporting workplace treadmill desk use.

 
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