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" Past research has shown that sitting down at work for long periods of time can lead to health implications like joint problems and back pain. However, a new study has revealed that standing up at work for a prolonged time can also create health issues. Researchers at ETH Zurich in Switzerland set out to investigate the relationship between standing at work and health. For the study, they recruited 14 men and 12 women and asked them to simulate standing work for five-hour periods. Each period included a seated break lasting no more than five minutes and a 30-minute lunch break. The researchers used a system that caused muscle twitching through electrical stimulation in order to measure muscle fatigue. The postural stability of each participant was also measured and they were asked to assess their level of discomfort. It was found that after a five-hour simulated working day, the participants experienced significant long-term fatigue, despite taking regular breaks. This fatigue lasted for at least 30 minutes following a seated recovery period. What&amp;#039;s more, participants aged between 18 and 30 were just as likely to experience long-term fatigue as older workers aged 50 and over. Maria Gabriela Garcia, lead researcher of the study, said: &amp;#039;Current work schedules for standing work may not be adequate for preventing fatigue accumulation, and this long-lasting muscle fatigue may contribute to musculoskeletal disorders and back pain. &amp;#039;The work-related musculoskeletal implications that can be caused by prolonged standing are a burden not only for workers but also for companies and society.&amp;#039; Research from the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety reveals that standing for a long time does not just lead to fatigue, but also to other health problems such as swollen legs, sore feet, varicose veins and a stiff neck. The study has been published in the journal Human Factors. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/news/a25676/standing-up-at-work-can-lead-to-health-implications/>