Standing desks can be harmful if not used properly, study warns.

Image: ABC. AM by Lucy Carter.

As standing desks grow in popularity, research shows the new additions to offices around the world can cause health problems if they are not used properly.

But a study from the University of Sydney found while the desks helped workers feel more energised, they can be hazardous if employees go too hard, too soon.

The pilot study, published in Preventive Medicine Reports, measured the effects on the productivity of 30 call centre workers using powered standing, or “sit/stand” desks, over a 19-week period.

Dr Josephine Chau, a research fellow at the University of Sydney’s school of public health, told AM standing desks could cause health problems – particularly if workers tried to use them too much in the early stages of adoption.

“We know that as people work standing up for too long, there is certain harms associated with that as well.

“So if you work for extended periods of time standing and without moving, for example, one of the risks are things like varicose veins or maybe even lower back ache.”

Dr Chau said workers should consider the move to a standing desk as like training for a marathon, not a sprint.

“It’s like introducing any new exercise to yourself, your body has to get used to it so if you go from zero standing to standing two hours a day, you’re probably going to experience some kind of discomfort.

“Another thing to remember, especially for women who like to wear high heels, is that it’s probably not a good idea if you want to work standing up as well and you might want to have a comfortable pair of shoes under your desk or in your drawer.”

Good news for employers.

Dr Chau said the workers who were given sit/stand desks also reported being happier and had more energy at the end of their shifts.

“Those workers who got the sit/stand desk said more of them felt like their employer cared about them,” Dr Chau said.

“They felt more satisfied with their work and they felt like they were being more productive and had enough energy that they needed to do their job.”

Importantly for employers, Dr Chau’s study found there was no negative effect on worker productivity levels.

It’s like introducing any new exercise to yourself, your body has to get used to it.
Dr Josephine Chau
“Because we were working with call centre workers, we had access to productivity measures like the time customers were put on hold, the time it took to deal with customer’s needs on the phone, and we found that over the 19 weeks, their productivity did not change … basically, it was not compromised,” she said.

“So employers might look at this as one consideration, ‘that if I want to get sit stand/desks for my staff, at least I know they won’t be less productive’.”

Dr Chau added that being seated for prolonged periods of time without breaks was also associated with a range of increased health risks including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

“Some studies have reported increased risk of some types of cancer and even weight gain,” Dr Chau said.

She said standing desks were not the only option for office workers looking for a less sedentary day.

“Walking to meetings, walking to talk to your co-workers instead of sending an email, drinking more water so you might have to use the bathroom more often, or even using the rubbish bin that’s further away from your desk.

“There are lots of other options too if you can’t get a sit/stand desk.”

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This post originally appeared on ABC News.