Research on Standing Landscapes and Health Implications

The Problem of Prolonged Sitting

Prolonged sitting has become a significant health concern, linked to the increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and even premature mortality. Many office workers find themselves seated for the majority of their workday. While short bursts of physical activity can help mitigate the risks associated with excessive sitting, they often provide only limited benefits. Therefore, there is a pressing need for innovative strategies aimed at reducing sedentary behavior in everyday life.

Designing a New Office Landscape

In response to this issue, researchers have developed “The End of Sitting,” an office landscape that incorporates various standing positions to encourage non-sitting postures. However, the key question remained: would individuals be naturally inclined to utilize this standing landscape? This inquiry led Renaud and colleagues to investigate the spontaneous use of the landscape.

Study Overview and Methodology

The researchers published their findings in BMC Public Health, detailing their assessment of visitor numbers, duration of visits, and movement within the landscape. To conduct this study, a 12 × 3 meter replica of the original ‘End of Sitting’ landscape was installed at the entrance hall of a university in Amsterdam from April to May 2016. The team closely monitored how visitors interacted with the landscape.

To gather comprehensive data, the researchers recorded the start and end times of each visit, any changes in location within the landscape, and details regarding the visitors’ gender and estimated age group. Observational scans were performed to visually assess the landscape area, including adjacent benches. Data collected included the presence of individuals, their postures and activities, and external factors such as temperature and weather conditions. Visitors on both the landscape and nearby benches were invited to complete a questionnaire, tailored to their specific experiences, focusing on activities, postures, duration of visit, and reasons for their choices.

Findings and Visitor Reactions

During a 15-hour observation period, the researchers noted 62 visits to the landscape, with an average visit duration of eight minutes. Notably, 12 visitors changed locations at least once while using the landscape. Observational scans revealed that 90.7% of the 43 landscape visitors were in an upright position.

These findings indicate that there is a spontaneous attraction to standing positions among visitors. Although the number of individuals who visited the landscape was relatively small and their stay was brief, the positive reactions suggest an increasing awareness of the health risks associated with excessive sitting. This willingness to explore alternatives to seated positions highlights the potential for further research on the effectiveness of such landscapes in promoting healthier behaviors in short-stay areas.

Conclusion and Future Research Directions

The study underscores the importance of continuing to explore innovative solutions that can effectively reduce sedentary behavior. Further research is warranted to evaluate the landscape’s suitability for areas where visitors may only stay for short periods.

Author Information

Written by Asongna T. Folefoc

Reference

Renaud LR, Huysmans MA, Speklé EM, van der Beek AJ, and van der Ploeg HP. ‘The End of Sitting’ in a public space: observations of spontaneous visitors. BMC Public Health (2017) 17:937 DOI 10.1186/s12889-017-4971-7