Learning to Stand: The Acceptability and Feasibility of Introducing Standing Desks into College Classrooms

Roberto M Benzo; Allene L Gremaud; Matthew Jerome; Lucas J Carr

doi:10.3390/ijerph13080823

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Learning to Stand: The Acceptability and Feasibility of Introducing Standing Desks into College Classrooms

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Learning to Stand: The Acceptability and Feasibility of Introducing Standing Desks into College Classrooms

Roberto M Benzo, Allene L Gremaud, Matthew Jerome and Lucas J Carr

International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.13(8), pp.1-1

08/15/2016

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13080823

PMCID: PMC4997509

PMID: 27537901

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13080823View

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Abstract

Prolonged sedentary behavior is an independent risk factor for multiple negative health outcomes. Evidence supports introducing standing desks into K-12 classrooms and work settings to reduce sitting time, but no studies have been conducted in the college classroom environment. The present study explored the acceptability and feasibility of introducing standing desks in college classrooms. A total of 993 students and 149 instructors completed a single online needs assessment survey. This cross-sectional study was conducted during the fall semester of 2015 at a large Midwestern University. The large majority of students (95%) reported they would prefer the option to stand in class. Most students (82.7%) reported they currently sit during their entire class time. Most students (76.6%) and instructors (86.6%) reported being in favor of introducing standing desks into college classrooms. More than half of students and instructors predicted having access to standing desks in class would improve student's "physical health", "attention", and "restlessness". Collectively, these findings support the acceptability of introducing standing desks in college classrooms. Future research is needed to test the feasibility, cost-effectiveness and efficacy of introducing standing desks in college classrooms. Such studies would be useful for informing institutional policies regarding classroom designs.

Cross-Sectional Studies

Interior Design and Furnishings

Humans

Middle Aged

Risk Factors

Male

Workplace

Feasibility Studies

Posture

Universities

Adult

Female

Surveys and Questionnaires

Details

Title: Subtitle: Learning to Stand: The Acceptability and Feasibility of Introducing Standing Desks into College Classrooms
Creators: Roberto M Benzo - Department of Health and Human Physiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA. roberto-benzo@uiowa.edu
Allene L Gremaud - Department of Health and Human Physiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA. allene-gremaud@uiowa.edu
Matthew Jerome - Department of Health and Human Physiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA. matt-jerome@uiowa.edu
Lucas J Carr - Department of Health and Human Physiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA. lucas-carr@uiowa.edu
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.13(8), pp.1-1
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13080823
PMID: 27537901
PMCID: PMC4997509
NLM abbreviation: Int J Environ Res Public Health
ISSN: 1661-7827
eISSN: 1660-4601
Publisher: Switzerland
Language: English
Date published: 08/15/2016
Academic Unit: Health, Sport, and Human Physiology
Record Identifier: 9984002485002771

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