Comparing standing posture and use of a sit-stand stool: Analysis of vascular, muscular and discomfort outcomes during simulated industrial work

• Published in: International journal of industrial ergonomics Vol. 45; pp. 98 - 106
• Main Authors: Antle, David M., Vézina, Nicole, Côté, Julie N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.02.2015; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Comparative analysis; Discomfort; Electromyography; Ergonomics; Limbs; Manuals; Muscles; Muscular system; Necks; Posture; Shoulder; Shoulders; Sit-stand stools; Stools; Trunks; Vascular measures; Work-related discomfort; Vascular measures; Electromyography; Sit-stand stools; Work-related discomfort; Posture
• ISSN: 0169-8141; 1872-8219
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ergon.2014.12.009

Sit-stand stools are available for use in industrial settings, but there is a lack of quantitative evidence demonstrating benefits for lower limb, back and/or neck/shoulder outcomes. In this paper we describe an experiment conducted to compare and contrast posture and time-related differences in muscular and vascular outcomes during 34 min of manual repetitive work performed in either standing or sit-standing work posture. We measured vascular parameters in the lower limbs, and muscular parameters in the trunk and neck/shoulder, and discomfort in the three regions as participants accomplished a repetitive box-folding task. Results show that blood flow in the foot (p = 0.022) and ankle mean arterial pressure (p < 0.001) were greater during standing. Left gluteus medius and external oblique activation was higher during standing, while sit-standing work resulted in higher levels of co-activation between the left erector spinae and external oblique muscle pair (p = 0.026). Neck/shoulder muscle activity was not significantly different between the conditions. Reported discomfort did not differ significantly for the trunk and neck/shoulder region, but standing resulted in higher level of reported discomfort in the lower limb. The sit-stand posture used in this experiment appears to prevent the undesirable lower limb outcomes associated with static standing work posture. This work demonstrates quantitative evidence to support the potential use of a sit-stand stool for industrial work operations, at least over relatively short durations. •We evaluated differences between work in a standing and sit-standing posture.•The sit-standing posture comprised of an adjustable stool and foot support.•Results show few postural differences between trunk and upper limb outcomes.•Sit-standing reduced lower limb discomfort and improved vascular outcomes.•Results show evidence to support sit-stand stool use in industry.