Table 3 Acceptable strategies to reduce and interrupt sedentary behaviour at work
Level | Strategies to reduce occupational sitting + quote | Strategies to interrupt occupational sitting + quote |
|---|---|---|
Working hours | ||
Individual | Standing while sorting and filing paper reports when there is no digital database | Computer reminders |
“A computer reminder would make one more aware: ‘you are already being seated for 4 hours and a half’, the system says… even if it is only making us conscious, that’s a lot” [male employee] | ||
Active sitting furniture | ||
“I think it’s a good idea to sit actively on a gym ball, as in this way the step to standing up is smaller compared to when you are sitting comfortably in a chair” [female employee] | ||
Drink more water and go to the toilet more often | ||
Social | Walking or biking conversations | Walking over to a colleague |
“This is indeed something positive. Besides being active, the conversation may be even smoother, that’s a win-win” [female employee] | “This is only a small effort that breaks your sitting, plus it improves the contact with the colleague” [male employee] | |
Organizational | Standing meetings (max 15 minutes) in small groups | Standing breaks in middle of meeting or after 30 minutes |
“The more you sit, the longer you discuss, the longer the meeting lasts, so…standing may be more efficient” [female employee] | “Wouldn’t it be good to decide to have a standing break after 30 minutes when meetings will last more than one hour?” [female employee] | |
Those who speak stand up (only for executives) | ||
“You could also agree that the one who is talking should stand up during the meeting. This is a small effort. If we could get this mentality, it’s not much effort and feasible for everyone” [male executive] | ||
Environmental | Adjustable standing desks (individual use) | Central printers/bins/coffee corners/water stations/mail boxes |
“We should have a desk that can move up, it may sound silly but then I would stand up for one hour” [male employee] | “I think we can achieve a lot by putting the printers and coffee machines further away” [female executive] | |
Separate meeting room with standing tables + extra trigger to use that room | ||
“Why should you use that room (= room with standing tables) if there is an alternative where you can sit, I believe an extrinsic motivation is needed, like fruit” [male employee] | ||
Lunch time and other breaks | ||
Individual | Active lunch breaks: individual or common | Individual ‘movement break’ |
“During lunch I would suggest to walk outside instead of putting people around a table again” [male employee] | “If I for example take a break for 5 minutes every two hours, I think I will restart work with double the amount of concentration, so I believe we have benefits for our body but also for the concentration” [male employee] | |
Organizational/ | ||
Environmental | Standing tables in canteens for cold lunch | |
“It’s okay to stand while eating sandwiches, but if you order a soup or a hot meal, this (=standing) is really not comfortable and really not practical…” [female executive] | ||