Affiliations: [a] Division of Health Policy & Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA | [b] Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA | [c] Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Correspondence:
[*]
Corresponding author: Mark A. Pereira, Nutrition Program, Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South Second Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA. Tel.: +1 612 624 4173; Fax: +1 612 624 0315; E-mail:map@umn.edu
Abstract: Prolonged sedentary time (ST) is associated with adverse health outcomes,
while decreasing ST improves health outcomes. The use of sit-stand desks
(SSDs) in workplaces has been proposed as a means of reducing ST. The
purpose of this study was to gain knowledge about participants' experience
and perceptions of a workplace intervention involving the introduction of
SSDs. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with 28 study participants
who used SSDs for 4 weeks. Data were analyzed using a grounded theory
approach. Participants reported a high level of satisfaction with the SSDs
and 96% chose to use them permanently. Participants experienced greater
energy and alertness at work and reported increased face-to-face interaction
with coworkers. Lack of work-surface space was the most significant problem
with the use of SSDs. There was no perception of decreased productivity or
reduced workplace privacy among participants.
Keywords: Sedentary time, work place intervention individual interview, focus group
