Standing-intolerant office workers can improve low back pain and active standing with sit-stand desk use

Sit-stand desks (SSD’s) are increasing in popularity, however many people are standing intolerant (SI) due to low back pain (LBP) and this may be a barrier for use. People with LBP have fewer weight shifts in standing compared with more active standing in healthy people. Sedentary office workers, classified as standing tolerant (ST) or intolerant (SI), and new to SSD use were assigned to intervention or control conditions for 12-weeks. Body weight shifts and LBP were assessed pre- and post-intervention. SI individuals, both intervention and control, increased weight shifts and decreased LBP during standing after 12-weeks. People with standing-induced LBP may be able to improve standing tolerance through SSD use.