Entwicklung eines Risikoindexes zur Bewertung und Gestaltung von Steharbeitsplätzen auf Basis physiologischer Kenngrößen

01/10/2015 to 30/09/2018

Recommendations for standing work are primarily based on observed loads and expert opinions. Individual factors such as subjects’ constitution and changes in movement characteristics seem not to be regarded in recommendations for standing work. The major recommendation is to limit the overall standing duration so far.
The present research project investigates the influence of frequency of change and the ratio of periodical duration between standing and walking. Frequency means the number of changes between standing and walking within a given time period which separates the time period in several time intervals. The ratio is the duration of standing vs. walking within a given time interval. A frequency of 6 within a time period of 60 min would result in 6 ten-minute time intervals. A ratio of 1 to 1 would mean that during the ten-minute time interval a person is standing for 5 min and also walking 5 min. A ration of 4 to 1 would correspond with 8 min of standing and 2 min of walking within the time interval. The meaning of these two factors for standing work will be quantified by physiological surrogate parameters that correspond to an increased risk for musculoskeletal and venous disorders.
Considering the demographic change in society younger and older subjects will be recruited for all applied experiments. The results of this research projects shall be used to refine recommendations and to develop intervention strategies for standing work.