Study Identifies Two Distinct Movement Types Among Office Workers as Product Makers Rush to Offer Custom Ergonomics
02.07.2026 - 06:25:10 | boerse-global.de
A new study published June 30 in the German journal ASU Arbeitsmedizin reveals that people working at computer screens fall into one of two clear behavioral groups: those who mostly sit and those who mostly stand. The findings, based on 108 participants in the SITFLEX-1 study, show that “sitters” spend an average of 374 minutes seated and just 77 minutes standing per workday. “Standers,” by contrast, spend 221 minutes standing and 224 minutes sitting. The patterns held true whether people worked from home or in a traditional office.
Researchers argue that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for workplace health. Instead, companies and employees need individualized setups that help break up static postures and encourage balanced movement throughout the day. The study underscores a growing focus on ergonomics as a driver of both well-being and productivity.
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Industry players are already responding. Ergotopia launched complete ergonomic bundles late June — the NextBack and MasterBack sets, along with the Desktopia Pro X and Desktopia One desk series. These combine height-adjustable tables, ergonomic chairs, and accessories at a discount when purchased together. IKEA pushed its own ergonomic lineup on July 1, featuring the TROTTEN height-adjustable desk and the FLINTAN swivel chair, alongside monitor risers and cable management systems. The retailer also offered up to 33 percent off children’s desks. UKAMO, another supplier, sells height-adjustable desks, chairs, and acoustic panels with added consulting, planning, and leasing options.
Visual ergonomics is also getting an upgrade. The Acer Vero CB343CURJ0, a 34-inch curved monitor with an integrated webcam and docking station, became available June 30; its housing is made from recycled plastics. Several other monitor launches are scheduled for July. ViewSonic will release the VG2719U-4K, a 27-inch display with extensive height adjustment. ASUS is introducing the ProArt OLED PA27USD and PA32USD, both designed for high color accuracy and built-in calibration. For conference rooms, Shure is expanding its portfolio with IntelliMix kits tailored to Zoom environments.
A small device aimed at home-office concentration arrives July 14: Flipper Devices’ “BUSY Bar,” an LED display that signals the user’s availability and can be integrated into smart-home systems via multiple interfaces and the Matter standard.
Beyond desks and screens, the surrounding environment is getting attention. Midea introduced the PortaSplit, a mobile split air conditioner that requires no structural modifications and offers both cooling and heating.
Legal and regulatory guidance is keeping pace. Since July 1, Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) has provided updated information on maternity protection, screen-work ergonomics, and psychosocial risks. These guidelines help employers and staff meet statutory requirements, especially when working from home.
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Artificial intelligence is reshaping the digital workspace in parallel. On July 1, Zoom Spaces launched with AI-powered image optimization. Amazon Web Services and Microsoft are also expanding their AI agents for daily work tasks. Yet analysts at Gartner warn that as many as 40 percent of current AI projects may be scrapped by 2027 due to insufficient profitability or technical obstacles.
