IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i9p4759-d546318.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Stand Out in Class: Investigating the Potential Impact of a Sit–Stand Desk Intervention on Children’s Sitting and Physical Activity during Class Time and after School

Author

Listed:
  • Yu-Ling Chen

    (School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK)

  • Keith Tolfrey

    (School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
    National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and University of Leicester, Leicester LE5 4PW, UK)

  • Natalie Pearson

    (School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK)

  • Daniel D. Bingham

    (Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust, Bradford BD9 6RJ, UK)

  • Charlotte Edwardson

    (National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and University of Leicester, Leicester LE5 4PW, UK
    Diabetes Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester LE5 4PW, UK)

  • Lorraine Cale

    (School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK)

  • David Dunstan

    (Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
    Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC 3065, Australia)

  • Sally E. Barber

    (Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust, Bradford BD9 6RJ, UK)

  • Stacy A. Clemes

    (School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
    National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and University of Leicester, Leicester LE5 4PW, UK)

Abstract

Sedentary behaviour (sitting) is a risk factor for adverse health outcomes. The classroom environment has traditionally been associated with prolonged periods of sitting in children. The aim of this study was to examine the potential impact of an environmental intervention, the addition of sit–stand desks in the classroom, on school children’s sitting and physical activity during class time and after school. The ‘Stand Out in Class’ pilot trial was a two-arm cluster randomised controlled trial conducted in eight primary schools with children from a mixed socioeconomic background. The 4.5 month environmental intervention modified the physical (six sit–stand desks replaced standard desks) and social (e.g., teachers’ support) environment. All children wore activPAL and ActiGraph accelerometers for 7 days at baseline and follow-up. In total 176 children (mean age = 9.3 years) took part in the trial. At baseline, control and intervention groups spent more than 65% of class time sitting, this changed to 71.7% and 59.1% at follow-up, respectively (group effect p < 0.001). The proportion of class time spent standing and stepping, along with the proportion of time in light activity increased in the intervention group and decreased in the control group. There was no evidence of any compensatory effects from the intervention after school. Incorporating sit–stand desks to change the classroom environment at primary school appears to be an acceptable strategy for reducing children’s sedentary behaviour and increasing light activity especially during class time. Trial registration: ISRCTN12915848 (registered: 09/11/16).

Suggested Citation

  • Yu-Ling Chen & Keith Tolfrey & Natalie Pearson & Daniel D. Bingham & Charlotte Edwardson & Lorraine Cale & David Dunstan & Sally E. Barber & Stacy A. Clemes, 2021. "Stand Out in Class: Investigating the Potential Impact of a Sit–Stand Desk Intervention on Children’s Sitting and Physical Activity during Class Time and after School," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-14, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:4759-:d:546318
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/9/4759/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/9/4759/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tetsuhiro Kidokoro & Yasuo Shimizu & Kanako Edamoto & Michael Annear, 2019. "Classroom Standing Desks and Time-Series Variation in Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity among Primary School Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-12, May.
    2. Aron P. Sherry & Natalie Pearson & Nicola D. Ridgers & William Johnson & Sally E. Barber & Daniel D. Bingham & Liana C. Nagy & Stacy A. Clemes, 2020. "Impacts of a Standing Desk Intervention within an English Primary School Classroom: A Pilot Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-18, September.
    3. Ann M. Swartz & Nathan R. Tokarek & Krista Lisdahl & Hotaka Maeda & Scott J. Strath & Chi C. Cho, 2019. "Do Stand-Biased Desks in the Classroom Change School-Time Activity and Sedentary Behavior?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-14, March.
    4. Terry Guirado & Camille Chambonnière & Jean-Philippe Chaput & Lore Metz & David Thivel & Martine Duclos, 2021. "Effects of Classroom Active Desks on Children and Adolescents’ Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Academic Achievements and Overall Health: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-31, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Paula Schwenke & Michaela Coenen, 2022. "Influence of Sit-Stand Tables in Classrooms on Children’s Sedentary Behavior and Teacher’s Acceptance and Feasibility: A Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-18, May.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Terry Guirado & Camille Chambonnière & Jean-Philippe Chaput & Lore Metz & David Thivel & Martine Duclos, 2021. "Effects of Classroom Active Desks on Children and Adolescents’ Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Academic Achievements and Overall Health: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-31, March.
    2. Alicia Fillon & Nicole Fearnbach & Stéphanie Vieira & Jade Gélinier & Sarah Bagot & Mélina Bailly & Audrey Boscaro & Léna Pélissier & Julie Siroux & Vincent Grasteau & Jean Bertsch & Bruno Pereira & M, 2023. "Changes in Sedentary Time and Implicit Preference for Sedentary Behaviors in Response to a One-Month Educational Intervention in Primary School Children: Results from the Globe Trotter Pilot Cluster-R," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-13, January.
    3. Mara Kirschner & Rianne H.J. Golsteijn & Sanne M. Sijben & Amika S. Singh & Hans H.C.M. Savelberg & Renate H.M. de Groot, 2021. "A Qualitative Study of the Feasibility and Acceptability of Implementing ‘Sit-To-Stand’ Desks in Vocational Education and Training," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-16, January.
    4. Nathan R. Tokarek & Chi C. Cho & Scott J. Strath & Ann M. Swartz, 2022. "The Impact of Stand-Biased Desks on Afterschool Physical Activity Behaviors of Elementary School Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-12, June.
    5. Tetsuhiro Kidokoro & Noriyuki Fuku & Toshio Yanagiya & Tomonari Takeshita & Mizuki Takaragawa & Michael Annear & Tian Xiaojie & Luka B. Waiganjo & Lamec F. Bogonko & Juliet K. Isika & Mbithe D. Kigaru, 2020. "Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Patterns among Kenyan and Japanese Children: A Comprehensive Cross-Country Comparison," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-19, June.
    6. Hiroya Kono & Kento Furuta & Takumi Sakamoto & Shin-ya Ueda, 2023. "Effects of Standing after a Meal on Glucose Metabolism and Energy Expenditure," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(20), pages 1-10, October.
    7. Nida Mugler & Hansjörg Baurecht & Kevin Lam & Michael Leitzmann & Carmen Jochem, 2022. "The Effectiveness of Interventions to Reduce Sedentary Time in Different Target Groups and Settings in Germany: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Recommendations on Interventions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-21, August.
    8. Nastja Podrekar & Kaja Kastelic & Nejc Šarabon, 2020. "Teachers’ Perspective on Strategies to Reduce Sedentary Behavior in Educational Institutions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-11, November.
    9. Paula Schwenke & Michaela Coenen, 2022. "Influence of Sit-Stand Tables in Classrooms on Children’s Sedentary Behavior and Teacher’s Acceptance and Feasibility: A Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-18, May.
    10. Alexander L. Wallace & Ann M. Swartz & Chi C. Cho & Christine M. Kaiver & Ryan M. Sullivan & Krista M. Lisdahl, 2022. "Stand-Biased Desks Impact on Cognition in Elementary Students Using a Within-Classroom Crossover Design," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-10, May.
    11. Ann M. Swartz & Nathan R. Tokarek & Scott J. Strath & Krista M. Lisdahl & Chi C. Cho, 2020. "Attentiveness and Fidgeting While Using a Stand-Biased Desk in Elementary School Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-13, June.
    12. Antonio Fernández-Martínez & Luis Alberto Dueñas-Dorado & María Rosario Teva-Villén & Alberto Nuviala, 2021. "Consolidation, Stages of Change, and Loyalty among Users of Public Sports and Health Services Aged 12–16," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-15, September.
    13. Alberto Grao-Cruces & María J. Velázquez-Romero & Fernando Rodríguez-Rodríguez, 2020. "Levels of Physical Activity during School Hours in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-23, July.
    14. Michael Annear, 2022. "Sedentary Behavior and Physical Inactivity in the Asia-Pacific Region: Current Challenges and Emerging Concerns," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-6, July.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:4759-:d:546318. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.