Sitting patterns after relocation to activity-based offices: A controlled study of a natural intervention

• Published in: Preventive medicine 2018-06, Vol.111, p.384-390
• Main Authors: Hallman, David M., Mathiassen, Svend Erik, Jahncke, Helena
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accelerometer; Flexible office; Health-Promoting Work; Hälsofrämjande arbete; Longitudinal study; Physical activity; Sedentary
• ISSN: 0091-7435; 1096-0260; 1096-0260
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2017.11.031

This study determined the effect of relocating workers from traditional to activity-based offices on objectively measured sitting patterns. Office workers (n=493) from five office-sites within a large Swedish government agency were included in a controlled study of a natural intervention (2015–2017). At four sites, traditional offices were replaced by activity-based offices, while workers at one site with no relocation acted as controls. Sitting, standing and walking were measured objectively for 5–8days in a sub-sample (n=110) using accelerometry (Actigraph). Total sitting time (% of working time) and time spent in short (30min) uninterrupted periods in sitting were determined. Intervention effects were determined at 3- and 12-month follow-ups using linear mixed models adjusted for baseline age, gender and office type, and stratified by office-site (referencing controls). The relocation to activity-based offices did not result in an overall effect (across sites) on occupational sitting time (all p>0.05), while walking time had increased significantly by 1.4% of the working time at 12months compared with controls. Heterogeneous results were found across offices after 12months on total sitting time compared with controls (estimated change −18.3% time–1.4% time), prolonged sitting (change −18.3% to −3.8%), walking (change 0.5%–3.5%) and standing (change −1.4%–13.9%). In conclusion, relocation to activity-based offices had a limited overall effect on occupational sitting patterns in the studied organization, but differed considerably between office sites. Site-specific determinants of sitting behavior in activity-based offices need be identified. •Replacing traditional offices by activity-based concepts is common world-wide.•Relocation to activity-based offices may influence sitting, but research is sparse.•We found reductions in sitting to be marginal across four activity-based offices.•Changes in prolonged sitting differed considerably between office sites.•Site-specific determinants of sitting in activity-based offices need be identified.