Exploring the use of an under-desk leg swing device during employee aptitude testing and implications on work performance and productivity

BACKGROUND: As modern occupations become more sedentary, desk-bound workers are more at risk of chronic diseases. Active workstations have gained popularity in the workplace, but there remain concerns about their impact on cognitive function. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the use of a novel und...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Work (Reading, Mass.) Mass.), 2023-01, Vol.75 (2), p.567-576
Main Authors: Lam, Hilary, Bergquist, Carter, Lee, Collette, McMullen, Jared
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alertness
Aptitude
Aptitude tests
Cognitive ability
Cross-Over Studies
Desks
Ergonomics
Experiments
Health risks
Humans
Leg
Occupational Health
Standard error
Students
Undergraduate study
Work Performance
Workflow
Workplace
Workstations
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Summary:BACKGROUND: As modern occupations become more sedentary, desk-bound workers are more at risk of chronic diseases. Active workstations have gained popularity in the workplace, but there remain concerns about their impact on cognitive function. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the use of a novel under-desk leg swing device on cognitive ability in the workplace compared to sitting. METHODS: Cognitive ability was measured using a pre-employment aptitude test (CCAT), and perceived outcomes were analyzed via self-report questionnaires. Using a randomized, repeated measures crossover design, 18 undergraduate students undertook the CCAT while using the under-desk leg swing device and while sitting only (Experiment 1). 9 students returned two to three weeks later to repeat testing (Experiment 2). RESULTS: In Experiment 1, CCAT scores did not differ significantly between the under-desk leg swing device and sitting (mean difference (MD) = –1.056, standard error (SE) = 1.302,p = 0.429, d = –0.16). Effect sizes of 0.554 were observed for perceived alertness, 0.446 for attention, 0.446 for focus, and 0.564 for enjoyment, but there were no significant differences between the two conditions. CCAT scores were significantly higher in Experiment 2 than in Experiment 1 (MD = 8.444, SE = 2.410,p = 0.008, d = 1.64). CONCLUSION: Based on Experiment 1, the findings suggest that the use of the under-desk leg swing device promotes movement without detriment to neither workflow nor cognitive ability relevant to employee aptitude compared to sitting.
ISSN:1051-9815
1875-9270
DOI:10.3233/WOR-211375