In the academic setting, strategies are always being created to effectively boost student engagement and productivity. With a majority of students sitting in desks during lecture, even some having two lectures back to back in a single day, students can be found sitting for as much as 6 hours. Breaks are of course, encouraged, but what happens when students are sitting in class; they may not be as attuned to the pedagogical approach of learning and not be as engaged in class. One idea to consider is replacing some of the traditional desks with standing desks so students at least have the option to stand if desired. Faculty are standing at the lectern or in front of the classroom and, depending on their teaching style, are typically moving around while delivering a lecture. If we want a classroom to be engaged, we can change the conventional approach to sitting and provide students instead with the option to stand in the classroom. We can prepare these prospective nurses who will mostly be on their feet when they embark on their career, that it may be wise to train their brain in maintaining their health and while being active at the same time.
In a study of 993 students and 149 instructors who completed a single online needs assessment survey, an overwhelming 95% of students agreed that they would prefer to have the option to stand in class. A good majority also felt that standing would improve their health compared to sitting in a desk.1 Recent studies also showed how children sitting in class no longer has to be the norm when learning in the classroom. 2
Overall, it shows that students become more productive when active or standing. This has even spread on the news. CBS News portrayed how Vallecito Elementary School in California has taken standing to a whole new level. It is the first school in the U.S., and possibly the whole world, to replace all traditional desks with standing desks.3
We are accustomed to sitting down whenever necessary. Whether it is in the office, at school, sit down events, or waiting rooms, for example; this list is not exhaustive. But the human body is built to move, not sit for prolonged periods of time. Although it is important to realize that there are circumstances where sitting is our only option, such as driving in the car while commuting to and from work, at the movies, or those whose occupation requires sitting such as those who drive buses and trucks.
Chronic health diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes have shown improvement with the integration of movement which includes the use of standing desks for those who use them at work.4 Physical health, restlessness, and attention span improves when standing. When standing with the correct posture, your lung fields have a greater capacity for air exchange as a result of your chest being fully open. This, in turn, increases the oxygen to be carried in your blood which helps maintain your concentration.
A higher risk of death due has been correlated to a sedentary lifestyle. Do a self check the next time you are sitting at a desk or in a chair; how many hours do you spend sitting down? How many hours do you spend doing an activity? One caveat to remember is that it is important to realize that standing alone is not the recommendation but that standing along with movement is advised. More blood flow is circulating throughout your body, and most importantly, to your brain. This also helps to normalize your blood sugar thereby maintaining concentration. Another bonus is that our bodies are burning calories standing versus sitting. People with a history of back pain report improvement with a standing desk as well. Ergonomics is key when standing or sitting. In order to reap the benefits of a good posture, sitting at a desk requires the
To prevent visits to the physical therapist or chiropractor, it is suggested that when one does sit, to use proper body mechanics. In an office setting, one is prone to craning their neck. Personally, I noticed this along due to hunching over at the desk which I was not aware of until I found myself visiting the chiropractor who suggested exercises to do while at work and home.
Anecdotally, I started standing as well as sitting at work and at home which produced a heightened awareness of my posture and concentration. Most importantly, movementis all about good posture without straining your back and shoulders as well as height of the screen to an acceptable eye level.
At the hospital, we advocate for patients to be out of bed to chair as soon as it is warranted. In fact, patients are not encouraged to lie in bed all day as mobility is strongly recommended to improve circulation. With the implementation of Workstation on Wheels, nurses now have the option to stand or sit at their workstation while mobilizing their cart to the patient’s rooms to provide patient care. These future nurses will be on their feet when they embark on their career, so we may want to train their brain in thinking this way.
It can be found that the traditional college classrooms have stationary desks, while in lab rooms, for example, when students are practicing their skills, students are standing next to the simulation mannequin’s bedside. Students are instructed to work in pairs and assigned tasks on each other and the patient. They do have the option to sit down but there are periods where movement is involved.
If we can begin to see the benefits of standing desks for small children, who is to say it needs to stop there? We can incorporate standing desks as one option as it is a catalyst for movement with the ultimate goal of improving student’s productivity as well as their health in the classroom. Conventional desks do not have to be the norm. Although further evidence over time would be needed, standing desks can be an option and provide favorable outcomes for some students.
Karla Rodriguez, DNP, CNE, RN
Karla Rodriguez is a Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. She has taught there since 2007. Her background is with adult and pediatric populations with an emphasis on Medical-Surgical nursing. She teaches at the baccalaureate nursing level. She graduated with her DNP at Quinnipiac University, the Care of Populations track and has been a registered nurse since 1999.
References:
1Benzo, R. M., Gremaud, A. L., Jerome, M., & Carr, L. J. (2016). Learning to Stand: The
Acceptability and Feasibility of Introducing Standing Desks into College
Classrooms. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(8), 1-11.
2Minges, K.E.; Chao, A.M.; Irwin, M.L.; Owen, N.; Park, C.; Whittemore, R.; Salmon, J.
(2016). Classroom standing desks and sedentary behavior: A systematic review.
Pediatrics, 137, 1-18. doi: 10.1542/peds.2015-3087
3CBS News. (October 12, 2015). California school becomes first to lose chairs for
standing desks. Retrieved January 3, 2019 from
4Shmerling, R. H. (2016). The truth behind standing desks. Harvard Health Blog.
Retrieved February 10, 2019 from
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-truth-behind-standing-desks-2016092310264
