New research reveals standing desks could be bad for your health

Have we been misled?

• In this article:

• Why standing desks could be just as harmful to our health

• Sitting vs. standing: which is worse?

• How to prioritise your health at work

If you work in an office, chances are you work with a colleague (or two) who has taken their posture and health concerns to another level – literally. 

For the last few years, standing desks have become a popular stationary order in the office and at home, with the contraption being hailed as a cure-all for all kinds of health concerns. 

Designed to suit the ergonomically challenged, standing desks allow a person to adjust their laptop, monitor or writing utensils to a height that places no downward stain on their posture.

From improving posture and neck pain to boosting productivity and daily calorie expenditure, standing desks have been repeatedly linked to several health benefits, but one new study is calling out these claims, suggesting our health-centric obsession with standing desks is scarcely rooted in evidence. 

For every technological advancement mankind has accomplished in recent decades, we’ve also fallen victim to the long-term health implications attached to many of them. 

While we’ve never been more interconnected and tech-savvy in our homes and workplaces, many of us have become increasingly sedentary as a result, increasing our risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity. 

As a natural solution to combat our sedentary lifestyle, standing desks were introduced to encourage people to change their routines and reduce sitting time in the office and at home. However, according to new research, substituting eight hours of sitting for 8 hours of standing may not be as beneficial for our health as previously believed. 

From improving posture and neck pain to boosting productivity, standing desks have been repeatedly linked to several health benefits. Image: iStock

What did the study uncover?

Published this month in PubMed, the new Australian research uses data uncovered from over 83,000 participants to conclude that standing desk use doesn’t necessarily improve a person’s heart health, and is likely to increase their risk of developing certain circulatory problems. 

Participants of the study wore devices over several years to accurately track their sitting, standing and physical activity, as opposed to relying on self-reported data and human inaccuracies. 

As the findings demonstrate, standing still for extended periods of time, though believed to be more beneficial than sitting, did not improve participants' cardiovascular health or risk of stroke.  

Both standing and sitting for prolonged periods, however, were found to increase a person’s risk of developing varicose veins (caused by blood pooling in the legs) or of feeling dizzy and lightheaded. 

As a natural solution to combat our sedentary lifestyle, standing desks were introduced. Image: iStock

So, are standing desks bad for us?

Though the initial findings of the study and the large sample size of participants certainly point to prolonged standing as an equal health risk as prolonged sitting, it is too early to claim standing desks are indeed bad for us. 

As the research indicates, simply substituting sitting for standing at work all day is not a perfect way to reverse negative health implications. 

Instead, experts suggest incorporating regular movement throughout the day, as our bodies respond better to that rather than static positions such as sitting and standing. As long as you are regularly taking breaks and opportunities to move your body, alternating between sitting and standing is recommended. 

Take advantage of incremental bursts of exercise throughout the day. Image: Pexels

How to prioritise your health at work

Before you go out and invest in a standing desk with a built-in treadmill or exercise bike, think about incorporating a few simpler (and cheaper) forms of movement into your day. 

Moving at work doesn’t mean you need to race to complete a 5km run on your lunch break, but rather that you should take advantage of incremental bursts of exercise throughout the day. 

These could be as simple as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, stretching every hour at your desk, or taking a stroll around the neighbourhood during your lunch break. 

If you’re someone who often gets consumed in a juicy spreadsheet or email chain for hours on end, set reminders and timers to encourage taking breaks for your health. 

As the research (and most people’s personal experience) indicates, both standing and sitting can be detrimental to our health when overdone, so aim to shake up your sedentary work or home lifestyle with regular bursts of movement. 

Originally published as New research reveals standing desks could be bad for your health