Purpose: To compare ergonomics of an electrically adjustable sit-stand workstation with a traditional workstation in video display unit (VDU) work.

Methods: Twelve female workers (aged 27-53 years) participated in this experimental study. Electromyography, wrist postures, subjective assessments, and productivity were used to make the ergonomic comparison.

Results: The muscle activity of the right trapezius (p=0.01) and left wrist extensors (p=0.02), extension of the right (p=0.05) and left (p=0.002) wrist, and perceived strain of the arms (p=0.05) were lower and productivity was better (p=0.02) when the workers used a low-sitting, high-sitting, or standing posture at the sit-stand workstation than when using a low-sitting posture at the traditional workstation. In the whole, the subjects were more satisfied (p=0.05) with the sit-stand workstation than with the traditional workstation.

Conclusions: Working both in sitting and standing postures was more productive and caused lower strain of the workers’ upper limbs than work only in a sitting posture. The electrically adjustable sit-stand workstation offers the possibility to reduce the sedentary behavior and inactivity in VDU work.