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Scisco JL, Meyers E, Miceli A, Powell J. "It's Been a Game Changer": Examining Treadmill Desk Use When Working from Home. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SCIENCE 2023; 7:1-22. [PMID: 36741939 PMCID: PMC9883822 DOI: 10.1007/s41542-023-00144-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Previous research has established the physical and mental benefits of using active workstations like treadmill desks in the workplace, such as reducing sedentary behavior and improving mood. However, treadmill desk use when working at home has not been examined despite significant increases in working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the objectives of this study were (1) to be the first to describe how treadmill desks are used when working from home and (2) to describe perceived benefits, motivators, and barriers for treadmill desk use when working from home. Twenty participants who worked from home and used a treadmill desk were interviewed between February 2022 and April 2022. Participants reported using their treadmill desks while completing a variety of work and non-work tasks and experienced physical, mental, social, and work-related perceived benefits. Motivators for use included desires to reduce prolonged sitting and be more active, wanting to be healthier and fitter, tracking and reaching goals like daily step counts, feeling good during use, and to overcome increased sedentary behavior due to working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Barriers to use included the type of work being done, physical limitations, accessibility issues, social concerns, and mental barriers. Future research should investigate ways to increase treadmill desk use at home by capitalizing on motivating factors and reducing barriers to use. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41542-023-00144-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna L. Scisco
- Department of Psychological Science, Eastern Connecticut State University, 83 Windham St., Willimantic, CT 06226 USA
| | - Emma Meyers
- Department of Psychological Science, Eastern Connecticut State University, 83 Windham St., Willimantic, CT 06226 USA
| | - Andrew Miceli
- Department of Psychological Science, Eastern Connecticut State University, 83 Windham St., Willimantic, CT 06226 USA
| | - Jordyn Powell
- Department of Psychological Science, Eastern Connecticut State University, 83 Windham St., Willimantic, CT 06226 USA
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Bobin-Bègue A. Performing spontaneous motor tempo improves children's attentional performance. JOURNAL OF APPLIED DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.appdev.2022.101467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Duplat J, Kotsou I, Leys C. Mesure des effets de la marche en pleine conscience sur le bien-être. ANNALES MEDICO-PSYCHOLOGIQUES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.amp.2021.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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O'Mara S. Biopsychosocial Functions of Human Walking and Adherence to Behaviourally Demanding Belief Systems: A Narrative Review. Front Psychol 2021; 12:654122. [PMID: 34421710 PMCID: PMC8371042 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.654122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human walking is a socially embedded and shaped biological adaptation: it frees our hands, makes our minds mobile, and is deeply health promoting. Yet, today, physical inactivity is an unsolved, major public health problem. However, globally, tens of millions of people annually undertake ancient, significant and enduring traditions of physiologically and psychologically arduous walks (pilgrimages) of days-to-weeks extent. Pilgrim walking is a significant human activity requiring weighty commitments of time, action and belief, as well as community support. Paradoxically, human walking is most studied on treadmills, not ‘in the wild’, while mechanistically vital, treadmill studies of walking cannot, in principle, address why humans walk extraordinary distances together to demonstrate their adherence to a behaviourally demanding belief system. Pilgrim walkers provide a rich ‘living laboratory’ bridging humanistic inquiries, to progressive theoretical and empirical investigations of human walking arising from a behaviourally demanding belief system. Pilgrims vary demographically and undertake arduous journeys on precisely mapped routes of tracked, titrated doses and durations on terrain of varying difficulty, allowing investigations from molecular to cultural levels of analysis. Using the reciprocal perspectives of ‘inside→out’ (where processes within brain and body initiate, support and entrain movement) and ‘outside→in’ (where processes in the world beyond brain and body drive activity within brain and body), we examine how pilgrim walking might shape personal, social and transcendental processes, revealing potential mechanisms supporting the body and brain in motion, to how pilgrim walking might offer policy solutions for physical inactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane O'Mara
- School of Psychology and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Cao L, Chen X, Haendel BF. Overground Walking Decreases Alpha Activity and Entrains Eye Movements in Humans. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 14:561755. [PMID: 33414709 PMCID: PMC7782973 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.561755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Experiments in animal models have shown that running increases neuronal activity in early visual areas in light as well as in darkness. This suggests that visual processing is influenced by locomotion independent of visual input. Combining mobile electroencephalography, motion- and eye-tracking, we investigated the influence of overground free walking on cortical alpha activity (~10 Hz) and eye movements in healthy humans. Alpha activity has been considered a valuable marker of inhibition of sensory processing and shown to negatively correlate with neuronal firing rates. We found that walking led to a decrease in alpha activity over occipital cortex compared to standing. This decrease was present during walking in darkness as well as during light. Importantly, eye movements could not explain the change in alpha activity. Nevertheless, we found that walking and eye related movements were linked. While the blink rate increased with increasing walking speed independent of light or darkness, saccade rate was only significantly linked to walking speed in the light. Pupil size, on the other hand, was larger during darkness than during light, but only showed a modulation by walking in darkness. Analyzing the effect of walking with respect to the stride cycle, we further found that blinks and saccades preferentially occurred during the double support phase of walking. Alpha power, as shown previously, was lower during the swing phase than during the double support phase. We however could exclude the possibility that the alpha modulation was introduced by a walking movement induced change in electrode impedance. Overall, our work indicates that the human visual system is influenced by the current locomotion state of the body. This influence affects eye movement pattern as well as neuronal activity in sensory areas and might form part of an implicit strategy to optimally extract sensory information during locomotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyu Cao
- Department of Psychology (III), Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Xinyu Chen
- Department of Psychology (III), Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Barbara F Haendel
- Department of Psychology (III), Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Labonté-LeMoyne E, Jutras MA, Léger PM, Sénécal S, Fredette M, Begon M, Mathieu MÈ. Does Reducing Sedentarity With Standing Desks Hinder Cognitive Performance? HUMAN FACTORS 2020; 62:603-612. [PMID: 31593493 DOI: 10.1177/0018720819879310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to determine if using a standing desk would affect the productivity of workers, based on the type of work they perform. BACKGROUND Standing desks are a promising new health intervention in the workplace, but users and employers often require more specific recommendations related to productivity, such as the type of work that is more suited for the standing desk. METHOD Thirty-seven young and healthy adults performed eight cognitive tasks in a 2 × 2 × 2 within-subject design of the following independent variables: posture (sitting/standing), task difficulty (easy/hard), and input device (computer mouse/tactile screen) in a counterbalanced order. RESULTS Our results revealed that using a standing desk had no negative effect on performance or perception, but it did lead to increased brain activity in the alpha band for the parietal region (β = 0.186, p = .001). CONCLUSION We conclude that users of standing desks can freely stand for any level of task difficulty for work that involves working memory. However, more research is needed to generalize these results to other types of cognitive abilities and prolonged use of standing desks. APPLICATION Our results simplify recommendations for workers as they do not need to worry about the type of work they are performing when using a standing desk.
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Bobin-Bègue A. Le tempo, fondement des compétences musicales et support du développement sociocognitif. ENFANCE 2020. [DOI: 10.3917/enf2.201.0109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
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Podrekar N, Kozinc Ž, Šarabon N. The effects of cycle and treadmill desks on work performance and cognitive function in sedentary workers: A review and meta-analysis. Work 2020; 65:537-545. [DOI: 10.3233/wor-203108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nastja Podrekar
- University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izola, Slovenia
- InnoRennew CoE, Izola, Slovenia
| | - Žiga Kozinc
- University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izola, Slovenia
- University of Primorska, Andrej Marušič Institute, Koper, Slovenia
| | - Nejc Šarabon
- University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izola, Slovenia
- InnoRennew CoE, Izola, Slovenia
- S2P, Science to Practice Ltd., Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Cao L, Händel B. Walking enhances peripheral visual processing in humans. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000511. [PMID: 31603894 PMCID: PMC6808500 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive processes are almost exclusively investigated under highly controlled settings during which voluntary body movements are suppressed. However, recent animal work suggests differences in sensory processing between movement states by showing drastically changed neural responses in early visual areas between locomotion and stillness. Does locomotion also modulate visual cortical activity in humans, and what are the perceptual consequences? Our study shows that walking increased the contrast-dependent influence of peripheral visual input on central visual input. This increase is prevalent in stimulus-locked electroencephalogram (EEG) responses (steady-state visual evoked potential [SSVEP]) alongside perceptual performance. Ongoing alpha oscillations (approximately 10 Hz) further positively correlated with the walking-induced changes of SSVEP amplitude, indicating the involvement of an altered inhibitory process during walking. The results predicted that walking leads to an increased processing of peripheral visual input. A second study indeed showed an increased contrast sensitivity for peripheral compared to central stimuli when subjects were walking. Our work shows complementary neurophysiological and behavioural evidence corroborating animal findings that walking leads to a change in early visual neuronal activity in humans. That neuronal modulation due to walking is indeed linked to specific perceptual changes extends the existing animal work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyu Cao
- Department of Psychology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Händel
- Department of Psychology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Breaking up prolonged sitting with moderate-intensity walking improves attention and executive function in Qatari females. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219565. [PMID: 31299061 PMCID: PMC6625720 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cultural, environmental and logistical factors promote a sedentary lifestyle within Qatar, particularly for females. Sedentary behaviour is acutely associated with poor cognitive function and fatigue, and chronically may be implicated with cognitive decline (i.e. Alzheimer’s disease). Purpose To examine the effects of breaking up sitting with short-duration frequent walking bouts on cognitive function and fatigue in Qatari females. Method Eleven sedentary (sitting ≥7 h/day) females completed three visits; the first being familiarisation. In a cross-over randomised manner, experimental visits two and three were identical, except participants either remained seated for 5-h (SIT) or interrupted their sitting every 30-min with a 3-min moderate-intensity walk (WALK) on a motorised treadmill. The Computerised Mental Performance Assessment System (COMPASS) assessed cognition at baseline (-15-min), and then at 2.5-h and 5-h into the experimental conditions. Specific COMPASS tasks employed were; serial-3 subtractions (2-min), serial-7 subtractions (2-min), simple reaction time (RT; 50 stimuli), rapid visual information processing [RVIP (5-min)], choice reaction time (CRT; 50 stimuli), and Stroop (60 stimuli); and a visual analogue scale for fatigue (VAS-F) was completed at the same time intervals. Results There was a significant condition effect for CRT (f = 26.7, p = 0.007). On average CRT was 101 s (95% CI = -47 to -156 s) quicker in WALK compared to SIT. There was a significant time effect for CRT (f = 15.5, p = 0.01). On average CRT was 134 s slower at 5-h compared to baseline (p = 0.006; 95% CI = -64 to -203 s), and 114 s slower at 5-h compared to 2.5-h (p = 0.01; 95% CI = -44 to -183 s). There was a significant interaction effect for RT in the Stroop incongruent task (f = 10.0, p = 0.03). On average RT was 210 s quicker at 2.5-h in WALK compared to SIT (p = 0.01; 95% CI = -76 to -346 s). Conclusion Breaking up prolonged sitting with moderate-intensity walking offers an ecologically valid intervention to enhance some aspects of cognitive function, whilst not affecting fatigue in sedentary Qatari females. Whilst these findings are promising, the long-term effects of breaking up sitting on cognitive function requires testing before population level recommendations can be made.
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Josaphat KJ, Kugathasan TA, E R Reid R, Begon M, Léger PM, Labonté-Lemoyne E, Sénécal S, Arvisais D, Mathieu ME. Use of Active Workstations in Individuals with Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2019; 27:362-379. [PMID: 30719877 DOI: 10.1002/oby.22388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This systematic review aims to collect existing literature and summarize the impact of active workstations on the health and work outcomes of participants with overweight or obesity. METHODS Five databases were examined (until March 2018), and the keywords "desk," "workstation," "work station," and "work stations" were used with any one of the following terms: "active," "bik*," "cycling," "height adjustable," "stepping," "stand up," "standing," "treadmill*," "walk*," "elliptical," "bicycl*," "pedaling," "stability ball," "stability balls," "exercise ball," "exercise balls," "swiss ball," "swiss balls," "sit-to-stand," and "sit stand." RESULTS Nineteen studies (two with school-aged children) were included in this review. Nine studies used treadmill, three used cycling, one used stepping, and twelve used standing desks. A decrease in sedentary time and an increase in physical activity level and energy expenditure were observed for most of the active workstations. Both the treadmill and the cycle desk improved glycemic control, but the treadmill desk was the only workstation for which improved work performance and help in body-weight management (body fat percentage, body weight, waist and hip circumference) were reported. CONCLUSIONS Active workstations are a promising solution for decreasing occupational sedentariness. Overall, active workstations have a positive impact on energy expenditure and physical activity in individuals with overweight and obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kapria-Jad Josaphat
- School of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Thiffya Arabi Kugathasan
- School of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ryan E R Reid
- School of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mickael Begon
- School of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Sainte-Justine University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | | | - Sylvain Sénécal
- École des Hautes Études Commerciales, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Denis Arvisais
- School of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marie-Eve Mathieu
- School of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Sainte-Justine University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Sui W, Smith ST, Fagan MJ, Rollo S, Prapavessis H. The effects of sedentary behaviour interventions on work-related productivity and performance outcomes in real and simulated office work: A systematic review. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2019; 75:27-73. [PMID: 30509536 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This review examined the impact of environmental, behavioral, and combined interventions to reduce occupational sedentary behaviour on work performance and productivity outcomes. Productivity outcomes were defined as variables assessing work-related tasks (e.g., typing, mouse), whereas performance outcomes were categorized as any variables assessing cognition that did not mimic work-related tasks. Nine databases were searched for articles published up to January 2018. Sixty-three studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria: 45 examined a productivity outcome (i.e., typing, mouse, work-related tasks, and absenteeism), 38 examined a performance outcome (i.e., memory, reading comprehension, mathematics, executive function, creativity, psychomotor function, and psychobiological factors), and 30 examined a self-reported productivity/performance outcome (i.e., presenteeism or other self-reported outcome). Overall, standing interventions do not appear to impact productivity/performance outcomes, whereas walking and cycling interventions demonstrate mixed null/negative associations for productivity outcomes. Hence, standing interventions to reduce occupational sedentary behaviour could be implemented without negatively impacting productivity/performance outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuyou Sui
- Exercise Health and Psychology Lab, Room 408, Arthur Sonia Labatt Health Science Building, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5B9, Canada.
| | - Siobhan T Smith
- Exercise Health and Psychology Lab, Room 408, Arthur Sonia Labatt Health Science Building, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5B9, Canada.
| | - Matthew J Fagan
- Exercise Health and Psychology Lab, Room 408, Arthur Sonia Labatt Health Science Building, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5B9, Canada.
| | - Scott Rollo
- Exercise Health and Psychology Lab, Room 408, Arthur Sonia Labatt Health Science Building, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5B9, Canada.
| | - Harry Prapavessis
- Exercise Health and Psychology Lab, Room 408, Arthur Sonia Labatt Health Science Building, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5B9, Canada.
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Dupont F, Léger PM, Begon M, Lecot F, Sénécal S, Labonté-Lemoyne E, Mathieu ME. Health and productivity at work: which active workstation for which benefits: a systematic review. Occup Environ Med 2019; 76:281-294. [PMID: 30692162 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2018-105397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In order to reduce sedentary behaviour at work, research has examined the effectiveness of active workstations. However, despite their relevance in replacing conventional desks, the comparison between types of active workstations and their respective benefits remains unclear. The purpose of this review article is thus to compare the benefits between standing, treadmill and cycling workstations. Search criteria explored Embase, PubMed and Web of Science databases. The review included studies concerning adults using at least two types of active workstations, evaluating biomechanical, physiological work performance and/or psychobiological outcomes. Twelve original articles were included. Treadmill workstations induced greater movement/activity and greater muscular activity in the upper limbs compared with standing workstations. Treadmill and cycling workstations resulted in elevated heart rate, decreased ambulatory blood pressure and increased energy expenditure during the workday compared with standing workstations. Treadmill workstations reduced fine motor skill function (ie, typing, mouse pointing and combined keyboard/mouse tasks) compared with cycling and standing workstations. Cycling workstations resulted in improved simple processing task speeds compared with standing and treadmill workstations. Treadmill and cycling workstations increased arousal and decreased boredom compared with standing workstations. The benefits associated with each type of active workstation (eg, standing, treadmill, cycling) may not be equivalent. Overall, cycling and treadmill workstations appear to provide greater short-term physiological changes than standing workstations that could potentially lead to better health. Cycling, treadmill and standing workstations appear to show short-term productivity benefits; however, treadmill workstations can reduce the performance of computer tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francois Dupont
- École de kinésiologie et des sciences de l'activité physique, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Mickael Begon
- École de kinésiologie et des sciences de l'activité physique, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Research Center, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - François Lecot
- École de kinésiologie et des sciences de l'activité physique, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | | | - Marie-Eve Mathieu
- École de kinésiologie et des sciences de l'activité physique, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Research Center, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Walking Outdoors during Seminars Improved Perceived Seminar Quality and Sense of Well-Being among Participants. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15020303. [PMID: 29425171 PMCID: PMC5858372 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15020303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Low levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour are a growing health problem globally. Physical inactivity is associated with increased risk of numerous ailments, cardiovascular disease and mortality. Our primary aim was to perform a feasibility study on how to incorporate physical activity among students and teachers in regular teaching activities. The second aim was to investigate how students and teachers perceived the differences between outdoor walking seminars and regular indoor seminars. By transforming an on-campus course into a blended course, we were able to conduct seminars outdoors in nearby nature while walking. These walking seminars were evaluated among 131 students and nine teachers leading the walking seminars. The responses to the student survey and teacher interviews indicate that discussions, sense of well-being and the general quality of the seminar improved, regardless of how physically active participants were the rest of the time. The study shows one way to increase physical activity with small means; in our case, a reorganization of how we prepared for the seminars which allowed for walking discussions.
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Do Sitting, Standing, or Treadmill Desks Impact Psychobiological Indicators of Work Productivity? J Phys Act Health 2017; 14:793-796. [DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2016-0712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background:This pilot study investigated the links between psychobiological indicators of work productivity, prolonged desk sitting, and conditions whereby office workers were able to interrupt sitting using a sit–stand or treadmill desk.Methods:Twenty participants visited our laboratory and completed their own desk work in counterbalanced sit-only, sit–stand (Varidesk Pro Plus 48™), and sit–walk conditions (Infiniti TR1200-DTS™). Steady-state visually evoked potentials calculated from electroencephalography recordings during a set task at the end of the workday assessed attentional resource. Salivary cortisol samples were taken during the morning and afternoon to measure stress response. Within-subject analyses were used to compare work productivity indicators relative to condition.Results:No significant differences in mean steady-state visually evoked potential amplitude were observed, although attentional resource allocation was found to be the most effective following the sit–stand [1.01 (0.46) μV] compared with the sit–walk [0.9 (0.28) μV] and sit-only [0.91 (0.32) μV] conditions. The mean magnitude of decrease in cortisol was most apparent when workers used treadmill (1.5 nmol/L; P = .007) and sit–stand (1.6 nmol/L; P = .001) desks, and least evident in the sit-only condition (1.0 nmol/L; P = .146).Conclusions:The findings highlight the potential benefits of standing or active deskwork to the allocation of attentional resources and the regulation of stress.
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Cevallos C, Zarka D, Hoellinger T, Leroy A, Dan B, Cheron G. Oscillations in the human brain during walking execution, imagination and observation. Neuropsychologia 2015; 79:223-32. [PMID: 26164473 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2015.06.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Revised: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Gait is an essential human activity which organizes many functional and cognitive behaviors. The biomechanical constraints of bipedalism implicating a permanent control of balance during gait are taken into account by a complex dialog between the cortical, subcortical and spinal networks. This networking is largely based on oscillatory coding, including changes in spectral power and phase-locking of ongoing neural activity in theta, alpha, beta and gamma frequency bands. This coding is specifically modulated in actual gait execution and representation, as well as in contexts of gait observation or imagination. A main challenge in integrative neuroscience oscillatory activity analysis is to disentangle the brain oscillations devoted to gait control. In addition to neuroimaging approaches, which have highlighted the structural components of an extended network, dynamic high-density EEG gives non-invasive access to functioning of this network. Here we revisit the neurophysiological foundations of behavior-related EEG in the light of current neuropsychological theoretic frameworks. We review different EEG rhythms emerging in the most informative paradigms relating to human gait and implications for rehabilitation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Cevallos
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Movement Biomechanics, ULB Neuroscience Institut, Université Libre de Bruxelles, CP 640, 50 Avenue Franklin Rooseveltlaan, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - D Zarka
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Movement Biomechanics, ULB Neuroscience Institut, Université Libre de Bruxelles, CP 640, 50 Avenue Franklin Rooseveltlaan, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - T Hoellinger
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Movement Biomechanics, ULB Neuroscience Institut, Université Libre de Bruxelles, CP 640, 50 Avenue Franklin Rooseveltlaan, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - A Leroy
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Movement Biomechanics, ULB Neuroscience Institut, Université Libre de Bruxelles, CP 640, 50 Avenue Franklin Rooseveltlaan, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; Haute Ecole Condorcet, Charleroi, Belgium
| | - B Dan
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Movement Biomechanics, ULB Neuroscience Institut, Université Libre de Bruxelles, CP 640, 50 Avenue Franklin Rooseveltlaan, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; Department of Neurology, Hopital Universitaire des Enfants reine Fabiola, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - G Cheron
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Movement Biomechanics, ULB Neuroscience Institut, Université Libre de Bruxelles, CP 640, 50 Avenue Franklin Rooseveltlaan, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; Laboratory of Electrophysiology, Université de Mons-Hainaut, Belgium.
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