Prevent damage to health Movement at the desk strengthens the body and soul

More exercise for office workers: A pleasure for body and soul

Millions of people in Germany spend their working day sitting, usually moving a little and constantly staring at a monitor. It is therefore not surprising that office workers often have health problems. A new study has now shown that specially movement-enhancing workstations in the office can be physically and mentally beneficial.

More and more people are working while sitting

Our working world is becoming more and more digital; but that also means that the number of people who work while sitting is increasing. This also increases the risk of health damage due to lack of exercise. The Institute for Occupational Safety of the German Statutory Accident Insurance (IFA) and the German Sport University Cologne have now proven in a joint practice study with the German Telekom AG that especially movement-promoting workstations in the office are not only well received, but also physically and psychologically beneficial.

More and more people are working while sitting. This also increases the risk of damage to health due to a lack of exercise. A new study has shown that office workers benefit physically and mentally through more exercise. (Image: pressmaster / fotolia.com)

Office workers sit eleven hours a day

As reported by the German Sport University Cologne in a statement, Germans sit with office jobs an average of eleven hours a day. The experts rely on figures from the German health insurance from the year 2016.

According to the information, significantly more than 40 percent of employees in Germany now work on such low-mobility jobs.

In addition, there are often long journeys to the workplace. And recreational activities are increasingly characterized by a lack of movement in front of the TV or the computer.

Sick due to lack of exercise

But lack of exercise and sitting for a long time make you sick. Among other things, it promotes chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Other health consequences: an increased risk of type II diabetes, overweight, musculoskeletal complaints due to physical underwear and unilateral attitudes, but also psychological effects such as depressive moods or lack of drive.

Certain complaints such as back problems can often be prevented even by minimal exercises.

Basically important is a sufficient movement. According to health experts, office workers should be careful to walk at least 10,000 steps each day to get there.

Avoid inactivity at office and computer workstations

But not only the employees, but also the employer is required to do something about the lack of workforce and to offer employees opportunities.

"A promising approach to avoiding inactivity at office and computer workstations is to use dynamic workstations," states a statement from the IFA.

In their study, the experts examined two new types of devices - the desktop ergometer "Deskbike" and the under-counter device "activeLifeTrainer" for their suitability in the real office world.

Improved mood and work readiness

"Conventional concepts for promoting physical activity combine desk and computer work with light cycling movements. Our study results show that these movement-enhancing workstations actually have positive effects on health ", says Professor Dr. med. Rolf Ellegast, Deputy IFA Director.

"When employees use the workstations, the mood and willingness to work improves noticeably," explains Prof. Jens Kleinert, head of the Psychological Institute of the German Sport University.

In addition, the Cologne showed that the effects of the devices on the frequency of training depend.

"It has to be done three times a week so that well-being benefits in the long term," explains Kleinert. It seems that in these cases, regular exercise at the desk can prevent the buildup of stress and strain.

Physical changes detectable

In the examined group of 30 employees of Deutsche Telekom AG over a period of six weeks in real workplaces also physical changes were detectable:

According to the data, the energy turnover and heart rate of the test subjects in dynamic workplaces were statistically significantly higher than during normal sitting work.

"The World Health Organization requires at least 150 minutes of moderate to intense activity per week to maintain healthy adults. This requirement is met by the subjects if they use the examined workstations for well over an hour each day. In our view, such workplace concepts have the potential to prevent obesity, "says Ellegast.

In addition, the researchers of the German Sport University in the study, which was based on preliminary studies of the IFA in the laboratory, showed that employees in the practice well received dynamic workstations and positive. (Ad)