Comparison of sedentary time, number of steps and sit-to-stand-transitions of desk-based workers in different office environments including working from home: analysis of quantitative accelerometer data from the cross-sectional part of the SITFLEX Study
OBJECTIVES: Sedentary behavior is associated with diseases (eg, cardiovascular, diabetes type 2). We aimed to describe the sitting and moving behavior of desk-based hybrid employees of a large company in Germany working in either a traditional open plan office (OPO) or an activity-based flex office...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nordic Association of Occupational Safety and Health (NOROSH)
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health |
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https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4228
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| _version_ | 1849434323170623488 |
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| author | Martha Sauter Eva Backé Carina Pfab Michaela Prigge Claudia Brendler Falk Liebers Peter von Löwis Andrea Pfeiffer Falko Papenfuss Janice Hegewald |
| author_facet | Martha Sauter Eva Backé Carina Pfab Michaela Prigge Claudia Brendler Falk Liebers Peter von Löwis Andrea Pfeiffer Falko Papenfuss Janice Hegewald |
| author_sort | Martha Sauter |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | OBJECTIVES: Sedentary behavior is associated with diseases (eg, cardiovascular, diabetes type 2). We aimed to describe the sitting and moving behavior of desk-based hybrid employees of a large company in Germany working in either a traditional open plan office (OPO) or an activity-based flex office (AFO) and when working from home. We also aimed to determine if the behaviors differ between both working environments (ie, working from home versus the office) and the office concepts (OPO versus AFO). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study to measure sedentary time, sit-to-stand-transitions (STS), standing, and physical activity (time spent physically active and steps) in different working environments with activPAL3. Time-use data were also examined using compositional data analysis. Mixed model regression was performed to estimate means and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The main models were adjusted for sex, age, profession and measurement phase (July–November 2021). RESULTS: The sample comprised 102 employees (women: N=27, mean age 38.9 years). On average, OPO employees spent 351 minutes (95% CI 322–380) being sedentary, took 2763 steps (95% CI 2460–3066) and made 16.6 STS (95% CI 13.6–19.6). AFO workers averaged 333 sedentary minutes (95% CI 308–358), 2906 steps (95% CI 2645–3167) and 19.1 STS (95% CI 16.6–21.7). When working from home, workers spent 378 minutes (95% CI 359–396) being sedentary, took 1257 steps (95% CI 1063–1452) and made 20.9 STS (95% CI 19.0–22.8). Working from home was associated with increased sedentary time and fewer steps but more STS. CONCLUSION: Sedentary time of desk-based workers seems to be prolonged when working from home. As sedentary behavior increases the risk of disease, there is a need for measures to reduce employees` sedentary time in all working environments. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-139f2ae34c6c4ac6b72a5903eeec5d1b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0355-3140 1795-990X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nordic Association of Occupational Safety and Health (NOROSH) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-139f2ae34c6c4ac6b72a5903eeec5d1b2025-08-20T03:26:43ZengNordic Association of Occupational Safety and Health (NOROSH)Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health0355-31401795-990X2025-07-0151433334310.5271/sjweh.42284228Comparison of sedentary time, number of steps and sit-to-stand-transitions of desk-based workers in different office environments including working from home: analysis of quantitative accelerometer data from the cross-sectional part of the SITFLEX StudyMartha Sauter0Eva Backé1Carina Pfab2Michaela Prigge3Claudia Brendler4Falk Liebers5Peter von Löwis6Andrea Pfeiffer7Falko Papenfuss8Janice Hegewald9Division Work and Health, Federal Institution for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Nöldnerstr. 40-42, 10317 Berlin, Germany.Division Work and Health, Federal Institution for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Nöldnerstr. 40-42, 10317 Berlin, Germany.Division Work and Health, Federal Institution for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Nöldnerstr. 40-42, 10317 Berlin, Germany.Division Work and Health, Federal Institution for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Nöldnerstr. 40-42, 10317 Berlin, Germany.Division Work and Health, Federal Institution for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Nöldnerstr. 40-42, 10317 Berlin, Germany.Division Work and Health, Federal Institution for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Nöldnerstr. 40-42, 10317 Berlin, Germany.Division Work and Health, Federal Institution for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Nöldnerstr. 40-42, 10317 Berlin, Germany.Division Work and Health, Federal Institution for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Nöldnerstr. 40-42, 10317 Berlin, Germany.Division Work and Health, Federal Institution for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Nöldnerstr. 40-42, 10317 Berlin, Germany.Division Work and Health, Federal Institution for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Nöldnerstr. 40-42, 10317 Berlin, Germany.OBJECTIVES: Sedentary behavior is associated with diseases (eg, cardiovascular, diabetes type 2). We aimed to describe the sitting and moving behavior of desk-based hybrid employees of a large company in Germany working in either a traditional open plan office (OPO) or an activity-based flex office (AFO) and when working from home. We also aimed to determine if the behaviors differ between both working environments (ie, working from home versus the office) and the office concepts (OPO versus AFO). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study to measure sedentary time, sit-to-stand-transitions (STS), standing, and physical activity (time spent physically active and steps) in different working environments with activPAL3. Time-use data were also examined using compositional data analysis. Mixed model regression was performed to estimate means and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The main models were adjusted for sex, age, profession and measurement phase (July–November 2021). RESULTS: The sample comprised 102 employees (women: N=27, mean age 38.9 years). On average, OPO employees spent 351 minutes (95% CI 322–380) being sedentary, took 2763 steps (95% CI 2460–3066) and made 16.6 STS (95% CI 13.6–19.6). AFO workers averaged 333 sedentary minutes (95% CI 308–358), 2906 steps (95% CI 2645–3167) and 19.1 STS (95% CI 16.6–21.7). When working from home, workers spent 378 minutes (95% CI 359–396) being sedentary, took 1257 steps (95% CI 1063–1452) and made 20.9 STS (95% CI 19.0–22.8). Working from home was associated with increased sedentary time and fewer steps but more STS. CONCLUSION: Sedentary time of desk-based workers seems to be prolonged when working from home. As sedentary behavior increases the risk of disease, there is a need for measures to reduce employees` sedentary time in all working environments. https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4228 sittingphysical activityfield studyoffice environmentworking conditionsedentaryaccelerometryworking from homeremote workdesk-based workeraccelerometer datasitflexflexible workplacehybrid workingteleworking |
| spellingShingle | Martha Sauter Eva Backé Carina Pfab Michaela Prigge Claudia Brendler Falk Liebers Peter von Löwis Andrea Pfeiffer Falko Papenfuss Janice Hegewald Comparison of sedentary time, number of steps and sit-to-stand-transitions of desk-based workers in different office environments including working from home: analysis of quantitative accelerometer data from the cross-sectional part of the SITFLEX Study Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health sitting physical activity field study office environment working condition sedentary accelerometry working from home remote work desk-based worker accelerometer data sitflex flexible workplace hybrid working teleworking |
| title | Comparison of sedentary time, number of steps and sit-to-stand-transitions of desk-based workers in different office environments including working from home: analysis of quantitative accelerometer data from the cross-sectional part of the SITFLEX Study |
| title_full | Comparison of sedentary time, number of steps and sit-to-stand-transitions of desk-based workers in different office environments including working from home: analysis of quantitative accelerometer data from the cross-sectional part of the SITFLEX Study |
| title_fullStr | Comparison of sedentary time, number of steps and sit-to-stand-transitions of desk-based workers in different office environments including working from home: analysis of quantitative accelerometer data from the cross-sectional part of the SITFLEX Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparison of sedentary time, number of steps and sit-to-stand-transitions of desk-based workers in different office environments including working from home: analysis of quantitative accelerometer data from the cross-sectional part of the SITFLEX Study |
| title_short | Comparison of sedentary time, number of steps and sit-to-stand-transitions of desk-based workers in different office environments including working from home: analysis of quantitative accelerometer data from the cross-sectional part of the SITFLEX Study |
| title_sort | comparison of sedentary time number of steps and sit to stand transitions of desk based workers in different office environments including working from home analysis of quantitative accelerometer data from the cross sectional part of the sitflex study |
| topic | sitting physical activity field study office environment working condition sedentary accelerometry working from home remote work desk-based worker accelerometer data sitflex flexible workplace hybrid working teleworking |
| url |
https://www.sjweh.fi/article/4228
|
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