Office environments that enhance physical activity and communication among workers: a natural experiment

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K20104
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59030:Physical education, and physical and health education-related
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba (2021-2022); Physical Fitness Research Institute, Meiji Yasuda Life Foundation of Health and Welfare (2019-2020)
• Principal Investigator: Jindo Takashi 筑波大学, 体育系, 特任助教 (20796833)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 身体活動 / 座位行動 / 座りすぎ / コミュニケーション / AI / オフィス環境 / オフィスワーカー / 勤労者

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Environmental interventions, such as the installation of sit-to-stand desk that allow workers to work standing and office layouts, are considered effective as a countermeasure against too much sitting among workers. In this study, we applied AI (Artificial Intelligence) object detection technology to quantify and visualize human behavior, and investigated the effects of office environment changes.
As a result of the investigation, we confirmed a reduction in sedentary behavior and an increase in physical activity in response to the office environment changes. In addition, AI-based analysis of videos from fixed-point cameras identified utilized spaces (circular corridors and common seating areas near entrances and windows). Furthermore, we confirmed the maintenance and improvement of annual health checkup data before and after the environmental changes. These findings are expected to lead recognition of the importance of office environment changes and proposals for specific measures.

Free Research Field

身体教育学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

座りすぎ対策としてのオフィス環境介入は、欧米諸国を中心に研究されており、わが国における知見は不十分であった。これに対し、本研究では、国内の実際のオフィス環境改変の前後で多様なデータを収集し、行動や健康指標の変化を明らかにした。得られた知見は、学術論文の公表に加え、プレスリリースや専門職雑誌で積極的に発信した。これらの取り組みは、国内のオフィス環境改善の研究と実践の発展に寄与することが期待される。