Spending too much time sitting down is known to increase the risk of diseases, and it is now becoming increasingly commonplace to hold standing meetings at work.
However they may be too socially uncomfortable to become a regular fixture in the office, scientists warn.
When researchers asked people to try standing up in meetings they report feeling ‘awkward’ or ‘stupid’ or like they are breaking the rules.
Studies have linked more time standing up to a lower risk of premature death, and one expert says sedentary office work is an ‘urgent public health issue’.
And although people say standing makes them feel more engaged and shortens the sessions, they also think they stand out or look like they are showing off, the study found, suggesting it is unlikely to catch on.
Standing up at work may help people become less sedentary and reduce their risk of disease, but it can be socially challenging, scientists say
Half the UK’s working population is based in offices and they spend approximately two thirds of their working days seated.
But research from King’s College London and Brunel University suggestes standing meetings may not be for everyone because they are seen to go against social rules.
Standing was seen by some people to be an attempt at asserting power where it was not welcome, and people trying the method tended to hide at the back or sit down instead.
‘Sedentary office work is an urgent public health issue’
Lead researcher Dr Benjamin Gardner from King’s College said: ‘Sedentary office work is an urgent public health issue.
‘For some employers, such as software developers, standing meetings are commonplace.
‘We need to get to the point where standing is the new normal for workers who would rather not be sat down.’
Standing desks have become more commonplace as people try to reduce the amount of time they spend sitting down, in a bid to improve their health.
Past research has suggested that being sedentary – sitting down too much and not exercising – increases people’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes, having a stroke, or suffering from heart disease.
And as people find new ways to be healthier at work, researchers carried out the study to explore what kinds of barriers exist to stop people standing in work meetings.
How the research was done
A total of 25 participants stood up in three separate meetings in which other people were sat down, and were interviewed afterwards.
They were told to stand for however long they wanted to.
‘We found that standing in meetings is a social minefield,’ Dr Gardner continued.
‘Our participants often felt awkward about standing – they felt more visible to others and worried that other attendees would think they were attention seekers.’
People did not feel comfortable standing in formal meetings or those addressing sensitive topics.
Because of social pressure many stood at the side or back of the room, which could have limited their involvement with the meeting, or just sat down instead.
Standing up is seen as a power move
People in charge of meetings, however, felt that standing gave them more confidence, power, and authority over the meeting.
But this had the opposite effect for other participants, who felt particularly uncomfortable when standing during a meeting with senior colleagues.
Brunel University researcher Professor Louise Mansfield added: ‘Ours is the first study to find out how people actually experience standing up in meetings.
‘Initial experiences of new behaviours can determine whether people will keep going.
‘While standing is not a one-size-fits-all solution, it’s about creating activity permissive cultures at work where people have the opportunity to move around more.’
The team’s findings are published in the journal PLOS ONE.