Posted on Oct 13, 2015
MAJ Civil Affairs Officer
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I've noticed a growing trend over the last 18 months or so - first in my old unit, I noticed a few people propping up their laptops to standing height. Then I went to Germany before my deployment to W. Africa and the higher HQ there, several people were doing similar things. Fast forward to W. Africa and working intermittently out of the local U.S. Embassy - I saw several USAID and other agency employees with actual "standing desks". Now I'm back stateside, on a special assignment with a civilian ran non-profit organization and the standing desk is very popular. Has anyone else noticed this trend? Do you partake? Do you think you've noticed benefits from standing all day at your office job?
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Responses: 5
CW2 Division Targeting Officer
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Personally I don’t mind sitting at the desk at work as I always try to maintain a good posture and not slouch. However, I’m not usually sitting at my desk for an extended period of time due to how busy I am running around trying to accomplish certain task.
Research has suggested that remaining seated for too long is bad for your health, regardless of how much exercise you do. Studies have linked excessive sitting with being overweight and obese, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, and premature death. Prolonged sitting is thought to slow the metabolism, which affects the body's ability to regulate blood sugar, blood pressure and break down body fat. One of the largest pieces of research to date on the subject – involving almost 800,000 people – found that, compared with those who sat the least, people who sat the longest had a:
• 112% increase in risk of diabetes
• 147% increase in cardiovascular events
• 90% increase in death caused by cardiovascular events
• 49% increase in death from any cause
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Liyan Guo (RP Staff)
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There is definitely a trend of using standing desk. I estimate I use my stand desk at work for 1/5 of the time and getting more frequent.

I started when my back often felt sore after a night of sleep. I went to a chiropractor and he helped adjusted my neck and back. He recommended not to sit all the time. I feel less of a pain on my back now. Although not sure I can contribute it all to standing at work.

The idea of standing make sense to me. We as human hasn't changed much genetically. Although everyone is different but mostly I don't think we genetically meant to be in same position for 8 to 10 hours a day, which is my case. I don't believe it is a good idea to stand all day but I believe it is a good idea to mix your activities each day. Like take a walk, do some exercise between work.

In terms of comfort, it was kind of easy to me. My back pain makes me more motivated to try new things. I am not all comfortable in my chair. It took me a bit time to get used to standing. I stand only 1 to 2 hours at at time now, 2 hours most a day. I also found a lot standing desks or those made from online instructions not work well for me. I put together one with some yoga blocks seems much more comfortable. Instead of fitting the desk, the desk fits me. I stand up straight and look forward. That's where the monitor should be. Then I let my arm hang comfortably, that's where the keyboard should go. I still am shifting my weight left and right. Often walk in place a little. I feel that's very natural and OK. The real idea is to not be in the same posture all the time and move your body instead of have the perfect stand. I think of it as an exercise, if I am getting tired and uncomfortable, I sit down. When I am tired sitting, I stand.
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CAPT Kevin B.
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Standing desks or better said, adjustable height desks are becoming more common. I had to get a few over the years for employees who had particular back problems. They did the drill with qualified medical provider input, etc. and were good to go. The results were great. Most problems were with the back. Also 911 call centers frequently have them so the responder can vary their position during their watch. Before I retired, I saw some literature looking at less need for back work later in life when people can frequently adjust the level at which they work. The ones I've seen are motorized and adjust with a button. I need different heights when doing computer work vs. reloading bullets, hence a different bench in the man cave. My sense is there's merit to this stuff in my experience.
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