ROCHESTER, Minn. — A recent Mayo Clinic study conducted by Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D., a preventive cardiologist at Mayo Clinic, suggests that incorporating active workstations in the workplace can lead to improved cognitive performance and overall health.
The research, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, involved 44 participants in a randomized clinical trial at Mayo Clinic's Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center. The study evaluated the impact of active workstations, such as walking pads, bikes, steppers, and standing desks, on reducing sedentary time and enhancing mental cognition at work.
Dr. Lopez-Jimenez noted, "Our findings suggest that it is feasible to blend movement with office work that previously would have been done during long periods of sitting. Active workstations may offer a way to potentially improve cognitive performance and overall health, simply by moving at work."
The study revealed that when participants used active workstations, their brain function either improved or stayed the same, and their typing speed only slightly slowed down, with no impact on typing accuracy. Improved reasoning scores were observed when participants stood, stepped, or walked compared to sitting.
Dr. Lopez-Jimenez emphasized the importance of combating sedentary behavior, stating, "Being sedentary is the new smoking when it comes to your cardiovascular health... These findings indicate that there are more ways to do that work while remaining productive and mentally sharp."
Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit organization dedicated to innovation in clinical practice, education, and research, encourages considering active workstations as part of the prescription for preventing and treating conditions like obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
