A study conducted by a team at the Mayo Clinic has shown that having an “active” workstation may have a positive impact on brain health. These workstations include walking pads, bikes, steppers, and standing desks, which encourage movement rather than prolonged sitting. The researchers placed 44 participants in different office settings over four days to analyze their neurocognitive function, including reasoning, memory, concentration, and typing speed. They found that using active workstations led to either improvements or maintenance in brain function.
Specifically, reasoning scores saw improvement when participants stood, stepped, or walked compared to sitting. However, typing speed decreased with these active workstations. As a result of these findings, healthcare providers may want to consider recommending active workstations when counseling patients on preventative measures against conditions like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
Dr. Mallika Marshall shares insights on the significance of these findings for overall health and wellness. She is an Emmy-award-winning journalist and physician who serves on staff at Harvard Medical School and practices at Massachusetts General Hospital. Her expertise in internal medicine and pediatrics adds depth to the importance of considering active workstations as part of a healthy lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Incorporating movement into workstations can improve cognitive performance according to a study conducted by the Mayo Clinic. Active workstations such as walking pads, bikes
