In recent decades, workplace digitalization caused an increase in sedentary work. This trend may further be intensified by the rise of working from home. Sedentary behaviour negatively affects physical health and cognitive performance, and sedentary work may be a contributing factor.
Research into short-term activities at work that may promote cognitive performance and information processing remains limited. Additionally, cognitive impairments may not always be recognizable in performance, as individuals often compensate. However, short-term cognitive impairments can be detected using electroencephalography (EEG).
We will adopt a holistic approach to study the effects of sitting interruptions with movement (i.e., walking breaks) on cognitive performance and muscle activity in laboratory tests. The experiment is designed to examine the influence of frequency and duration of the sitting interruptions with movements. Parameters such as objective mental workload, heart rate variability, and muscular tension will be recorded utilizing EEG, electrocardiography, and electromyography. We will also assess subjective mental and physical load with the NASA-TLX and other questionnaires. Realistic work-related cognitive tasks will be simulated, and the perceived interference of sitting interruptions will be assessed by the participants to identify the advantages and disadvantages of sitting interruptions.
Ultimately, we plan to examine dose-response relationships and derive recommendations for taking breaks from sitting that can be practically applied in an office environment. These recommendations may help maintain employability by promoting cognitive performance and health through well-designed work-organisation and work-environments. Future research might evaluate these laboratory findings within the context of longitudinal interventions in company settings.