ECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH23
INTRODUCTION: Prolonged sitting in office-based work is associated with musculoskeletal and metabolic health risks. “Active sitting” is increasingly applied as an ergonomic strategy to reduce static sitting; however, its definition and assessment remain inconsistent. This systematic literature review aims to synthesize existing concepts, relevant physiological and biomechanical parameters, and assessment methods of active sitting. METHODS: This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251008153). Literature searches were conducted in Ovid MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus (up to April 2025). Randomized controlled trials, cohort, experimental, observational, and validation studies investigating ergonomic or active sitting in office-based work settings among healthy adults (18–64 years) were included. Extracted outcomes comprised definitions of active sitting, postural and spinal parameters, muscle activity, and the validity, reliability, and accuracy of applied measurement methods. Methodological quality was assessed using the criteria of the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research. RESULTS: From 2,182 identified records, 87 studies were included, comprising 2,721 participants (61.7% women; age range 18–67 years). Active sitting was predominantly described as a dynamic seated behaviour characterized by frequent low-amplitude postural changes and increased neuromuscular activation, yet without a standardized operational definition. Most studies assessed biomechanical parameters, such as trunk and pelvic kinematics and spinal alignment using 2D/3D motion analysis, as well as physiological measures (e.g., electromyography, accelerometer). CONCLUSION: Active sitting should be considered a complement rather than a substitute for active breaks and can be practically described by five core principles: low-amplitude movement, neuromuscular control, postural variability, maintenance of task performance, and temporal limitation of static sitting phases. These findings highlight the need for objective, multimodal assessment systems that integrate biomechanical, neuromuscular, and temporal parameters to enable standardized evaluation of active sitting in occupational settings.
Read CV Giordano ScinicarelliECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH23
INTRODUCTION: The sit-to-stand transition is a key daily movement influenced by coordination, balance, and lower-limb strength. There are biomechanical changes to the sit-to-stand transition during pregnancy due to increased abdominal mass. The rapid biomechanical changes during pregnancy can often lead to more frequent pain and fatigue during daily physical activities. While laboratory-based studies show slower sit-to-stand angular velocity during pregnancy, the changes in free-living sit-to-stand angular velocity and their relationship to pregnancy-related discomforts remains unclear. This study examined differences between the second and third trimesters of pregnancy in free-living sit-to-stand angular velocity and discomfort frequency, and assessed whether changes in sit-to-stand angular velocity predicted discomfort changes. METHODS: Pregnant participants (n=176; mean age: 31.2 ± 4.1 years) from the PRECISE Occupational Cohort in Denmark wore thigh-worn accelerometers for ~one week during the second and third trimesters to measure sit-to-stand transitions, step counts, and movement behaviours (e.g., sedentary time, standing time, physical activity levels). Weekly text message questionnaires assessed for the presence of lower back pain, pelvic pain, Braxton-Hicks contractions, fatigue, and lower-limb edema throughout the second and third trimesters. Linear mixed models compared the second and third trimesters, and regression models tested whether sit-to-stand angular velocity change predicted the changes in weekly discomforts. All regression models were adjusted for age and pre-pregnancy body mass index. RESULTS: Median (d=-0.53) and 90th percentile sit-to-stand velocity (d=-0.47) were significantly lower in the third trimester, accompanied by fewer daily sit-to-stand angular transitions (d=-0.14) and reductions in step count (d=-0.29), standing time (d=-0.21), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (d=-0.43; all, p<0.001). All pregnancy-related discomforts increased in weekly recurrences (p<0.001), with pelvic pain (OR=5.02), Braxton-Hicks contractions (OR=17.9), and lower-limb edema (OR=9.23) showing the largest rises in weekly occurrences. Changes in median and 90th percentile sit-to-stand angular velocity were not associated with changes in the total number of weekly discomforts (both, p>0.235). CONCLUSION: Free-living sit-to-stand angular velocity declines and discomfort prevalence both rise between the second and third trimesters, yet these changes appear independent of each other. Based on our results, the magnitude of the reduction in sit-to-stand velocity did not predict a change in the number of pregnancy-related discomforts. These findings highlight both the value and the challenge of free-living performance measures in characterizing mobility during pregnancy.
Read CV Liam PellerineECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH23
INTRODUCTION: The skilled trades are characterized by high physical and psychosocial demands. Physically strenuous work, time pressure, economic uncertainty, and often small organizational structures place considerable strain on workers and may adversely affect health and long-term work ability [1]. Physical activity plays a key role in this context, as it can influence both physical capacity and psychosocial resources [2]. Therefore, the aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of physical activity across specific domains among workers in the skilled trades. METHODS: The survey was conducted using computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) with 1,147 employees from defined skilled trades. The sample included 769 men, 375 women and three participants of diverse gender, with a mean age of 43.25 years (SD = 15.07). Physical activity was assessed using the EHIS-PAQ. Analyses were conducted across three domains: work-related (WRPA), transport-related (TRPA), and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA). Descriptive statistics were calculated using design and adjustment weights. RESULTS: 27.4% of participants reported performing work tasks involving light physical effort, 51.3% reported moderate physical effort, and 21.2% reported heavy physical effort. Overall, 72.5% of participants were physically active at work. TRPA was mainly accumulated through walking, with a mean of 247 minutes per week, while cycling contributed less, with a mean of 36 minutes per week. Regarding LTPA, participants reported an average of 162.1 minutes of aerobic activity per week. In total, 39.7% met the recommendation of at least 150 minutes per week, and 17.9% achieved 300 minutes or more of aerobic physical activity. Additionally, 33.5% met the recommendation for muscle-strengthening physical activity (≥2 days per week). Overall, 21.8% of participants met both aerobic and muscle-strengthening recommendations. When combining work-related and health-enhancing physical activity, 82.7% of participants were classified as sufficiently physically active in total. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that physical activity among workers in the skilled trades is predominantly accumulated through work-related tasks, while leisure-time physical activity remains comparatively low. Although a large proportion of participants were classified as physically active overall, fewer than half met the aerobic activity recommendations and only one third achieved sufficient muscle-strengthening activity. This underlines the importance of distinguishing between physical activity domains, as occupational physical activity may be associated with increased physical strain and limited recovery. Health promotion strategies should therefore focus on compensatory, health-enhancing leisure-time physical activity to support long-term health and work ability in the aging workforce. References: [1] Möhlmann, S., & Walter, G. (2022). BIBB/BAuA-Faktenblatt 43. [2] Bull et al. (2020). Br J Sports Med. 54(24).
Read CV Jonas GorgesECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH23