Association between age and objectively measured sitting patterns at work in different office types

Abstract: Ageing has been associated to ill health due to sedentary behaviour. Limited knowledge exists about age and sedentary behaviour in the working population. Additionally, studies with objectively measured sitting time at work are needed. The current study aimed to investigate the association between age and sitting patterns (volume- and temporal patterns) at work in different office types. Method: Cross-sectional associations were investigated with measurements of sitting with accelerometers (ActiGraph GT3X+) on office-workers (n=101). Written diaries and questionnaires were used to collect information about working time, age and background factors. Main results: Weak associations were found between age and sitting patterns at work. Associations were found between age and short periods of sitting (β= -0.29, SE= 0.01, p<0.05). Office-type (cell-based office and open-plan office) did not modify the associations. No other associations were found after a change to activity-based offices. Conclusion: Overall, age was not associated to sitting patterns at work, except for short periods of sitting, indicating less variation in sitting time at work with higher age. Also, results indicate that office type do not influence the associations investigated in this study. Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to confirm these findings.