Fighting the trend towards inactivity

Modern-day office work has become largely a sedentary task, as workers are forced to spend hours a day in front of computers. Such inactivity is not only bad for the body, it goes against basic ergonomic principles; movement is good, and movement is necessary.

Humanscale Foot Machines offer relief from prolonged sitting by stimulating movement in the feet and legs throughout the day. They encourage a gentle rocking motion—which uses most of the lower leg muscles—to increase comfort and healthful circulation. They also elevate the feet to relieve pressure on the lower back.
 

Active vs. Inactive Sitting

Have you ever noticed that your feet swell during a long plane ride? It’s not a symptom of the high altitude, but rather a product of Inactive Sitting.

The way people sit on planes is a perfect example of Inactive Sitting. The body—particularly the legs—is confined to a very small space, and your only opportunity for real movement is a quick trip to the bathroom. As a result, blood pools in the lower extremities and creates swelling in the feet.

Office work can have a similar effect, as hours of sedentary computer work can slow circulation. But with a Foot Machine, the user is encouraged to engage in Active Sitting. The gentle rocking motion keeps the legs and feet moving, increasing circulation and preventing swelling.

The following graph depicts the effects of Active and Inactive Sitting on foot swelling:

“According to the present study, some of the perceptual and physiological problems in the lower legs and feet during prolonged sedentary work may rather easily be reduced by a modest increase of the leg activity comprising a natural part of the sitter’s work.”

- Winkel & Jorgensen, 1986, vol. 29

See Humanscale's line of ergonomic Foot Machines