Kinesiology researchers are studying ways to reduce muscular and skeletal stresses and pain while working at a computer.  A study done by a researcher at McGill University in Quebec says that her study of  treadmills being used at a workstation has been shown to diminish work-related muscular disorders.  Her research was published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology.

Julie Cote, an Associate Professor in Kinesiology says that her studies show that you would lose weight because you would be exerting more energy and burning calories.

Cote’s lab had 20 healthy participants complete a 90 minute typing task while sitting at a computer or while walking on a treadmill.  The purpose was to measure both speed and accuracy while typing in each scenario.  At the conclusion of the study Cote found that there was no difference between how fast or how may mistakes the participants made.

In terms of muscle discomfort the subjects experienced upper limb discomfort while sitting and the longer they sat the worse that it got.  When the subjects were walking the study found the all the limbs and muscles worked in a more ubiquitous way therefore causing less discomfort and burning more calories.

Cote is in the process of preparing the study for publications.  Clearly her evidence shows that being more active at work can produce a healthier employee.  Will we start to see an effort by employers to have standing and walking desks in the future.  What I would be curious to see if the long term effects of having a walking desk.  Will it keep work comp claims down?  Because these employees are going to be healthier, will it help to reduce the duration of a claim?  Time will tell but I think this is an interesting study and I believe we will start to see more employers making a shift towards this trend to have a healthier workforce.