Scientific basis for reducing and breaking-up workers' sitting time

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H04113
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59040:Nutrition science and health science-related
• Research Institution: Waseda University
• Principal Investigator: Oka Koichiro 早稲田大学, スポーツ科学学術院, 教授 (00318817)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 石井 香織 早稲田大学, スポーツ科学学術院, 教授 (10548697) ; 柴田 愛 筑波大学, 体育系, 准教授 (30454119)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 座位行動 / 健康影響 / プレゼンティズム / 決定要因 / 時間行動学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The present study examined associations of objectively and subjectively assessed sedentary behaviour patterns with health-related indicators such as cardiometabolic biomarkers, chronic musculoskeletal pain, depression and sleep quality, as well as work-related indicators such as presenteeism and work engagement among workers. In addition, the study focused on the physical and social environment, such as office design, neighbourhood built environment and social capital, as factors associated with too much sitting. Based on these research findings, an attempt was made to develop tools (e.g. self-help manuals, smartphone apps, standing desks, etc.) for use in intervention programs to reduce and break-up prolonged sitting among desk-based workers, and the possibility of using these tools in actual workplace settings.

Free Research Field

健康行動科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の学術的意義としては、これまで十分に分かっていなかった就労者の座位行動パターン、特に日内変動や週内変動などが明らかになった点、それらの座位行動パターンと健康指標のみならず、労働指標との関連や、座りすぎを誘発するオフィスレイアウト等を明らかにした点が挙げられる。また、これらの研究成果に基づき、デスクワーカーの座りすぎを解消させる介入プログラムに用いる自助マニュアル、スマホアプリといったツールを開発するとともに、スタンディングデスクの利用可能性について検討できた点は、健康経営の一環としてデスクワーカーの座りすぎ対策の普及に向けた取り組みの展開に有効活用できるため社会的意義も大きい。