Office fitness – quite incidentally

Office work is not necessarily synonymous with exercise and fitness. And yet special surfaces that encourage movement make them both possible. They activate the calf and foot muscles including the ankles and help to prevent fatigue. In other words: fitness and exercise – quite incidentally.

More exercise reduces health risks

Sitting is as bad as smoking, thus putting office work on the same level as one of the greatest health risks. Nor is this claim all that absurd: after all, sitting for hours has many negative effects on the back, blood vessels, heart and inner organs. There is a risk of various diseases such as diabetes or cancer, and sitting can also be detrimental to life expectancy.

So what can the millions of people do who earn their living in an office? Perhaps you've already come across the concept of dynamic standing/sitting? In addition there are also many other possibilities for encouraging more movement and exercise in the office workplace, without even having to leave the office. Standing not only becomes more pleasant but also makes us fitter: good for body and soul.

Floor mat

Special floor mats are an excellent choice for this purpose. They are roughly half a square metre in size and are laid out at the sit-stand desk.

Quality criteria include high stability at the same time as being flexible to handle. The floor mat should be easy to shift in position. A resilient, elastic foam stepping area is just as beneficial as a robust surface.

On the inside of some of the mats, there is a 3-D structure with small peaks and depressions which gives the impression of standing and walking on natural terrain, such as walking on the forest floor.

While standing on these floor mats, the inner structure thereby creates an almost imperceptible, additional instability that stimulates the body to make compensatory movements. Essentially, the use of movement-inducing floor mats avoids static standing, thereby preventing muscle fatigue and swelling of the legs. The subconscious postural change transforms stationary standing into active standing.

Here experts refer to the random activation of reflex zones and the sensory system. Many small, deep muscles in the feet, legs and torso have to contract and relax all the time to hold the body in balance.

These additional micro and macro movements have a verifiably positive impact on health: better circulation, more venous activity in the legs, more active metabolism. Another positive effect consists in improved concentration levels in the workplace, with delayed onset of fatigue symptoms.

Activation board

Another possibility for more movement in the standing and sitting workplace consists of a so-called activation board. This is a corrugated floor plate with special material characteristics to give it a certain flexibility. When someone stands on it, it automatically triggers safe, simple movement.

Walking on the spot becomes child's play because the same muscle groups are activated as when we walk. The benefits include all the positive effects of walking normally. All muscular chains in the body are triggered, from head to foot. Experts use the expression tensegrity model in this context.

Tensegrity model

Our body is a clever system of muscular chains, stabilising ligaments and intelligent joint systems that all work together. If individual groups of muscles or parts of muscles are damaged or weakened, this causes muscular dysbalance. The otherwise smooth cooperation between the body structures no longer works.

The activation board counteracts muscular dysbalance. The tilting movements are adjusted in such careful doses that no-one loses balance.

NOTE

In the commercial sector, the use of appropriate mats or boards should be clarified with the responsible safety specialist of the company before use.

•  Secure stability and a non-slip surface are criteria that have to be fulfilled by floor coverings, floor mats and also activation boards for feet and legs.
• Circulation supported and encouraged, particularly in the lower extremities: this activates the so-called muscular or venous pump. In other words, muscular movements compress the veins running deep in the muscles, improving the flow of blood back to the  middle of the body. The onset of fatigue systems can thus be delayed while the powers of concentration last longer.
• Floor mat large enough to offer sufficient freedom of movement. With an activation board, the feet take up a certain position and remain in constant contact with the board while it moves. By contrast, floor mat users frequently change the position of their feet. The floor mat should therefore be large enough to allow for smaller movements without having to leave the mat.
• An uneven structure and shock-absorbing properties in the floor mat activate special depth sensors in muscles, tendons and joints. This trains the sense of balance and enhances the ability to stand.
• An exercise manual turns an activation board into a training board. Ideally, it provides illustrations of the exercises.
• Safety note: in the commercial environment, the company’s safety officer should be consulted before using such mats or boards.

Minimum requirement

• Stable position
• Non-slip surface
• Easy to move
• Stimulates muscles in feet and legs
• Supports circulation (muscle / venous pump
• Supports spontaneous changes in position
• Relieves pressure on the joints
• Flexible in use
  
  

     Additional specific minimum requirements for floor mats

• Ample standing space
• The risk of tripping is ruled out
• No unpleasant smells
• Quick cleaning
• Minimise signs of fatigue
  
  

Also appropriate for the activation board

• Can also be used as a training board
• Illustrated description of the exercise
  
  

aeris GmbH

• aeris muvmat
  
  

kybun Joya Retail AG

• kybun mat
  
  

officeplus GmbH

• GYMBA
  
  

Manufacturer

aeris GmbH
Hans-Stießberger-Straße 2a
85540 Haar bei München
GERMANY
Phone: +49 89/12 50 18 710
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.active-office.de

kybun Joya Retail AG
Mühleweg 4
CH-9325 Roggwil (TG)
SWITZERLAND
Phone +41 58 329 40 00
www.kybunjoya.swiss
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

officeplus GmbH Rottweil
Saline 29
78628 Rottweil
GERMANY
Phone +49 741/24 80 4
Fax +49 741/24 82 30
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.officeplus.de