{"id":348,"date":"2015-06-02T15:34:33","date_gmt":"2015-06-02T14:34:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cardinus.com\/us\/?p=348"},"modified":"2022-08-05T09:56:28","modified_gmt":"2022-08-05T13:56:28","slug":"best-posture-next-posture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cardinus.com\/us\/insights\/ergonomics\/best-posture-next-posture\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Best Posture is Your Next Posture"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Getting the most from a sit-stand workstation by Cynthia Roth.<\/strong><\/p>\n

When the office workstation was transformed by the computer in the early 1980s, it was believed the proper ergonomic positioning was a static, seated posture with the body positioned using the 90-90-90 rule. As the name suggests, this rule had the back-thigh angle at 90 degrees, the thigh-leg angle at 90 degrees and the leg-foot angle at 90 degrees.<\/p>\n

By the 1990s, it was determined that a more neutral seated posture had all these angles being greater than 90 degrees. In the 2000s, it was found that sitting for long periods of time in a neutral posture did not prevent discomfort. Movement, such as leaving your workstation at least once an hour for five to ten minutes, needed to be performed since frequent position changes help prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Today, good ergonomics practice dictates that some computer workers should work in a variety of postures to include sitting and standing.<\/p>\n

A sit-stand workstation is part of the evolution of the computer workstation so let\u2019s explore the rationale behind sit-stand workstations, why they can be beneficial, how to design a sit-stand workstation, and discuss who would benefit from such a workstation.<\/p>\n

\"Ergonomics<\/a><\/p>\n

Rationale<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the past few years, the number of sit-stand workstations has increased. The prevalence of this type of workstation is causing people to ask if a sit- stand workstation is right for them. More people than ever before are working on computers, which translates into the computer workstation needing to adapt to more types of computer users. For example, people are working later in life and they may not be able to stand for long periods of time due to stress and trauma placed on their back over their lifetime. Conversely, there is a younger work population that has spent their whole life with computers. These workers are accustomed to working on computers in non-traditional postures and locations. Whether due to physical condition or working preference, more is expected out of today\u2019s computer workstation.<\/p>\n

Benefits<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is a perception that sitting is not hard on the back, but this is not entirely true. Sitting when working involves a backward rotation of the pelvis, which, in turn, alters the curve of the back creating more disc pressure.<\/p>\n

Standing when working can cause stress to the back because muscle groups in the legs, hips, back, and neck are tensed when standing for a long period of time. Also, maintaining the same standing posture for long periods of time places the muscles in a constant state of contraction.<\/p>\n

A sit-stand workstation was developed to incorporate the benefits of both a seated and standing posture, with the ultimate goal being a computer user not having to choose between sitting and standing. A good ergonomic practice is adopting a variety of good postures throughout the workday. In fact, some ergonomists say \u201cyour best posture is your next posture\u201d.<\/p>\n

Designing a sit-stand workstation\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alternating between sitting and standing can reduce pressure on the vertebrae and increase circulation to the legs, as well as virtually eliminate lower back pain. A well-designed sit-stand workstation incorporates:<\/p>\n