An ergonomic intervention to minimise physical and physiological stresses in the office standing workstation

Additional contact points in sitting workstations (e.g., backrests, armrests) are advantageous by providing variable posture support, but no research has focused on increased contact points for standing workstations. This study investigated standing postural strategies and muscle recruitment characteristics for both pain developers (PDs) and non-pain developers (NPDs) when additional support was provided for the trunk and pelvis during prolonged standing at workstations. Sixteen participants each visited twice to test standing workstations (with and without the contact intervention) while subjective low back pain (LBP), movement patterns, movement variability, and muscle activation were monitored for 60 minutes. Results revealed that additional contact points reduced subjective LBP in PDs (47%) and triggered additional body movements (lumbar fidgeting: 38%; centre of pressure (CoP) shifting: 46%; and CoP fidgeting: 44%). In conclusion, improved postural stability throughout additional contact intervention encouraged alternate postures and thus decreased subjective LBP.