Can using a sit-stand desk and a low-speed walking pad reduce abdominal pressure and improve circulation?

Benefits of Sit-Stand Desks and Walking Pads for Circulation and Abdominal Pressure

Standing workstations and slow-moving treadmills can substantially increase nonexercise activity thermogenesis and improve circulation by reducing sedentary behavior, which is associated with higher rates of cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders. 1

Physiological Benefits of Reducing Sedentary Time

• Even the slowest walking (1 mph) increases an employee's metabolic rate from 1 metabolic equivalent (sitting) to 2 metabolic equivalents, effectively doubling energy expenditure 1
• Standing and walking workstations represent innovative designs that can substantially increase nonexercise activity thermogenesis (spontaneous physical activities of daily living) 1
• Treadmill walking at extremely slow speeds (1 mph) generally does not interfere with work performance while providing significant health benefits 1
• Sedentary behaviors, especially prolonged sitting, are associated with higher rates of morbidity, mortality, cardiovascular risk factors, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome 1

Impact on Circulation

• A 24-week study of overweight and obese subjects using sit-stand desks showed significant improvement in femoral flow-mediated dilation (FMD), an early indicator of cardiovascular disease 2
• The same study demonstrated improvements in fasting triglycerides and insulin resistance, providing insight into mechanisms of adverse health risks associated with sedentary behavior 2
• Sit-stand desks were effective in reducing workplace sedentary behavior in an at-risk population with abdominal obesity, with significant reductions in workday sitting time (344 to 186 min/day) 3
• Efforts to reduce sitting time through innovations in worksite design can have a significant influence on decreasing sedentary behaviors and improving circulation 1

Effects on Abdominal Pressure

• When lying flat, continuous pressure on bony prominences restricts blood flow, causing ischemic pain similar to that seen in peripheral artery disease 4
• Getting up and walking activates the body's systemic adaptation mechanisms including improved circulation, which can help reduce pressure-related discomfort 4
• For mobile patients, regular ambulation when possible can help reduce pain associated with pressure 4

Long-Term Benefits of Treadmill Desks

• A one-year prospective trial of treadmill desks showed subjects increased daily physical activity from baseline 3,353 AU/day to 4,205 AU/day at 12 months 5
• The same study demonstrated significant decreases in daily sedentary time from 1,020 min/day to 978 min/day at 12 months 5
• Weight loss averaged 1.4 kg for the whole group, with obese subjects losing 2.3 kg on average 5
• Access to treadmill desks improved health of office workers without affecting work performance 5

Limitations and Considerations

• A 3-month intervention that decreased sedentary behavior and increased standing by approximately 1 hour during the workday was not effective for reducing blood pressure 6
• Sit-stand desks alone may not be sufficient to improve markers of cardiometabolic risk in at-risk populations without additional lifestyle modifications 3
• The evidence for standing and treadmill desks shows utility for breaking up sitting time and potentially improving select components of health, but substantial evidence gaps remain 7

Implementation Recommendations

• Treadmill walking at extremely slow speeds (1 mph) is recommended as it generally does not interfere with a worker's ability to use the computer or talk on the telephone 1
• Workers have reported enjoying using contemporary workstations and supporting their use in their own work environment 1
• For optimal benefits, aim to replace 2-4 hours per day of sedentary behavior with standing and stepping 6
• Consider alternating between sitting and standing throughout the day rather than standing continuously to avoid potential adverse effects of prolonged standing 2