Differences in Energy Expenditure and Typing Speed While Sitting, Standing, and Walking in College Students

The purpose of this study was to determine if caloric expenditure and typing speed differed among three positions (sitting, standing, walking).Methods:  Participants included 40 college students (18-22 years, 30 males and 10 females) on either the baseball or track and field teams. Each participant was tested for 5 minutes in three different positions. Caloric expenditure was measured via indirect calorimetry and typing productivity via a 3-minute typing test. Repeated measures ANOVAs and T-Tests were performed to determine statistical differences for caloric expenditure and typing speed.Results: Caloric expenditure (calories per 5 minutes) was significantly higher for walking (16.4 ± 3.1) than for sitting (9.0 ± 2.4, p <0.0001) and standing (9.4 ± 2.0, p <0.0001). For typing productivity, standing resulted in faster typing speed than walking (37.4 ± 10.2 vs. 34.7 ± 10.7 wpm, p = 0096).Conclusions: Using a standup walking desk to type while working expends significantly more calories than typing while sitting or standing at a desk. However, typing speed was significantly higher while standing at a desk than while walking at a desk.