The word "ergonomics" plays a major role in work - especially in sedentary activities and in the office. But what exactly is ergonomics? What is ergonomics good for? And what dangers does working without movement pose? Here you will find detailed answers to these important questions.
What is ergonomics? Definition
In short: ergonomics is the science of human work, or more precisely, the interactions between the work environment and human performance. The word ergonomics is made up of the Greek words "ergon" (work) and "nomos" (law, rule). Ergonomics therefore stands for "work rules" in the broadest sense. This means that working conditions are adapted to people and not the other way around. Ergonomics serves to create a holistic and good working atmosphere for employees and to optimize working conditions so that work causes little health problems. After all, people can only achieve their full performance if they feel comfortable.
In order to achieve this goal, the working conditions, the workflow and the arrangement of work equipment (e.g. tools, keyboard, mouse, etc.) must be ergonomic. The work environment and equipment are therefore optimized so that the tasks can be completed to a high standard. Ergonomic design therefore contributes to a reduction in sick leave, increased employee satisfaction and improved quality of work results, and is therefore crucial to the economic success of a company. This brings us to an important fundamental question: for which type of work does ergonomics actually make sense?
Where does ergonomics make sense?
Ergonomics is particularly useful in industry. The Aeris Muvman Industry , for example, is specially designed for standing activities at production workplaces.
Basically, it can be said that ergonomic working conditions make sense everywhere! Originally developed for production workplaces, ergonomic adjustment is also playing an increasingly important role for office workplaces.
For a long time, sedentary work was seen as less stressful than jobs in production. This has now changed significantly. It has been recognized that sitting for long periods of time also causes great damage to health. It is not without reason that muscular and skeletal damage - mainly back pain - is one of the main causes of absenteeism and thus a major negative item for companies and the health care system. Ergonomics is therefore important for every workplace and includes optimizing the workplace in terms of the office chair, tables and desks, keyboards, PC mice and the screen, floor coverings, lighting and air conditions and much more.
Tip: We explain in detail here how to design an ergonomic workplace in the office and which criteria you need to pay attention to.
The term "ergonomics" in transition
The subject of ergonomics has its origins in industry. There, ergonomic requirements had a metric basis (DIN EN ISO standards). This means that standardized working and sitting heights, gripping radii and sophisticated distance measurements for work equipment, screens, keyboards, etc. determined the guidelines of ergonomics.
However, since hardly anyone is "built" to standard measurements, these ergonomic measures quickly reach their limits. Standardized seat heights and natural, highly individual human characteristics (different upper and lower body proportions) create friction points that often lead to the human being - as the only flexible element in this area - having to adapt to the standard measurements. For many people, this means hunching over and bending over.
People must be able to move as much and as naturally as possible at work.
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The term ergonomics, interpreted in a modern way, has therefore taken up the findings of current movement science and numerous studies and recognized the importance of movement for a healthy working environment. Modern ergonomics therefore means that people must be able to move as much and as naturally as possible at work. This helps them more than rigid norms in order to be able to work healthily and efficiently.
Working without ergonomics – how normal office work harms your body
What actually happens to our bodies when we do conventional office work and follow traditional ergonomic rules? To put it bluntly: normal office work with the wrong furniture, a suboptimal working environment and the resulting permanently incorrect sitting posture can be harmful to health over a longer period of time!
Sitting is the new smoking.
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Glen Cordoza
New York Times bestselling author
"Sitting is the new smoking," says New York Times bestselling author and physiotherapist Glen Cordoza in his book of the same name. "Sitting at work is just as high an occupational risk as lifting heavy loads. The fact is: the chair is our enemy and is killing the body bit by bit," writes Cordoza in his book. As exaggerated as the statement may sound, the core message is correct. Sitting for hours and remaining in one position is not part of the natural movement pattern of humans. This means that regular exercise during work and the appropriate design of your work environment are the best ways to prevent health problems. Frequently switching between sitting and standing at a height-adjustable desk, for example, is a good solution for staying active throughout the working day.
Modern ergonomics supports movement in the workplace. Frequent changes between sitting and standing are very important. The Aeris Muvman is a very good support when standing for long periods.
Sitting for hours without ergonomics and movement: The health consequences
Reduced depth sensitivity
The so-called proprioceptors are responsible for deep sensitivity - that is, the perception of certain stimuli from inside the body. These constantly send information about muscle tension, joint position and movement to the brain. If the ability to sense proprioception atrophies due to sitting motionless for hours every day, the motor skills of the arms and legs deteriorate because the sensors in the muscles send fewer impulses.
Poor stress relief and increased blood pressure
Stress can be reduced primarily through exercise. The reason is quite simple: exercise reduces the adrenaline levels that have built up in the body as a result of a stressful situation. With normal office work and rigid sitting, the body cannot "work off" the increased stress levels that can quickly arise due to time pressure, annoying misunderstandings or conflicts with colleagues. In the long term, this can lead to increased blood pressure. Work environments that allow or encourage exercise are therefore also beneficial to health in this respect.
Little exercise and long, rigid, hunched sitting periods lead to fatigue and loss of performance much more quickly.
Poorer attention and fatigue
In order not to get tired and to maintain attention over time, people need variety. This applies to both the mind and the body. The conclusion: the less we move at work, the sooner we get tired and the error rate increases.
Good to know: A study by the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz has shown that brain activity is significantly higher when you "sit in motion". This movement increases the activity of the brain, muscles and breathing.
Higher risk of injury
For example, anyone who goes to the tennis court for an hour or does another sport after a long, motionless day at the office has a much higher risk of injury than those who move lightly during the day and thus constantly engage their muscles, proprioception, fascia, tendons and ligaments.
Faster aging process
Don't worry, conventional office work won't make you look the same in your mid-30s as you do in your mid-60s. However, the fact is that the formation of new cells in your body is activated by friction and pressure - in other words, by movement. The result of too little exercise: cells die sooner and are not renewed as quickly. This accelerates the aging process. Exercise keeps you young!
Interesting fact: It is estimated that around four million new cells are formed in the body every second. These are mainly blood, intestinal and skin cells. Our body is constantly renewed.
Better blood values thanks to ergonomics at the workplace
Regular exercise at work and the right ergonomic office furniture, for example for meetings, noticeably improve performance
An Australian study with 4,800 test subjects evaluated blood values after a typical working day. Employees with a normal office workplace were compared with those whose workplace was ergonomically designed - which meant that they were always moving around slightly during the day.
The following groups were divided:
- Group 1: Typical office workers who did not move during the day in the office.
- Group 2: Typical office workers who did not exercise during the day in the office but exercised in the evening two to three times a week.
- Group 3: Typical office workers who moved around lightly in the office during the day but did not do any exercise.
As expected, the analysis showed that group 1 had the worst blood values. Surprisingly, however, the blood values of groups 2 and 3 were equally good. The light exercise during the day was enough for group 3 to bring the quality of the blood values to the same level as the group that exercised several times a week. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't exercise in your free time. But:
Ergonomics helps you stay generally fitter, more active and healthier.
6 advantages of ergonomics and movement at a glance
1. Lower risk of developing lifestyle diseases
Numerous studies have shown the connection between excessive sitting and the development of lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, type II diabetes, high blood pressure or stuck fascia. The right ergonomics, tailored to you and the light but constant movement this creates, reduce the risk of such diseases.
2. Avoid back pain
Back pain and tension are mostly caused by static, unnatural sitting in a "forced position" at work. By using ergonomics at work that promote movement, you can prevent this rigid sitting and thus back pain and tension.
3. Better physical performance
Constant movement increases the oxygen concentration in your blood. This improves your metabolism and prevents physiological lows. With the right ergonomics, the afternoon slump in performance is a thing of the past.
Better performance, prevention of back pain and a lower risk of developing lifestyle diseases. Modern ergonomics has many advantages.
4. Increased cognitive performance and efficiency
The improved supply of oxygen to the brain also increases cognitive abilities (learning, thinking, remembering, etc.) and thus efficiency at work. Sitting in motion and with constant changes in position and posture leads to the upper body being straightened more often and thus to deeper breathing, which in turn supports better oxygen absorption.
5. Better quality of life
The ergonomic design of your workplace affects the functioning of your entire metabolism. The "extra" movement increases the production of hormones that create a positive attitude towards life. And an increased attitude towards life also means an increased quality of life. A life without physical (civilization) complaints and injuries is incomparably better.
6. Economic benefits
This point is particularly important for managers. If you have employees yourself, you should set up their workstations ergonomically as quickly as possible. Because: If you just look at the pure numbers, the number of sick days is considerably reduced in a company that relies on modern ergonomics and lots of movement.
Tip: The contents of this article can be found in detail in the book Active Office – The Workplace as a Space for Movement.
