We spend a large part of the day sitting, but what does that actually do to our backs? A study has investigated this very question by comparing how the body is affected by sitting, standing, and working in an intermediate position between the two.
The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, where a team led by ergonomics researcher Jack P. Callaghan investigated how different work postures affect the back.
Twenty-four people participated in the experiment, working in 19 different positions ranging from sitting to standing. The researchers measured factors such as spinal angles, muscle activity, and body weight distribution. This allowed them to see how the load changed when the body moved from sitting to standing.
The results showed that prolonged static positions—both sitting and standing—increase the risk of back problems. However, an intermediate position, sometimes called perching (a kind of half-standing sitting position), had certain advantages because the back is closer to a neutral position.
At the same time, that position required more work from the legs, which means that it is not a perfect solution either.
The researchers therefore drew an important conclusion:
There is no ideal working position; the most important thing is variety.
Alternating between sitting, standing, and moving around during the day can be one of the most effective ways to reduce strain on your back and prevent pain.
Tips for those who want to vary their working position
An easy way to reduce static sitting is to use a chair that encourages movement and a more active sitting position. Our saddle chairs Lite and Lite Advanced Hybrid are designed with this in mind.
The Lite chair has a compact, seamless saddle seat that is easy to keep clean. The seat can be tilted forward to help the back maintain its natural S-curve and encourages an upright, active sitting position that can improve blood circulation. The narrow shape also allows for great freedom of movement around the workplace.
The Lite Advanced Hybrid builds on the same idea but has a larger seat with pressure-relieving zones and a patented Free-Float function. The movable seat follows the body's movements forward, backward, and sideways, making it easier to sit dynamically and avoid static strain. When you want more stability, the function can be easily locked.
Both models are available in versions adapted for both men and women, as well as in fixed or mobile versions, so you can choose the support and movement that best suits your working day.