Sitting takes the load off the intervertebral disc
Who did the research: Prof. P.Brinckmann, Independent Lecturer Dr.Drerup, K.Ehrenbrusthoff, Institute for experimental biomechanics at the University of Munster
The aim: To find the extent to which sitting and standing loaded (puts pressure on) the intervertebral disc.
The trial: A stadiometer (a device for precise measurement of height) provides information about the loading on the spinal column under simulated office activity. The test was split into three phases (each of 30 minutes), in which the subjects stood in the initial phase, sat in the working phase and stood up again in the follow-up phase. Between the individual phases the height was measured ten times. Taking off the load led to an increase in height, applying a load led to a reduction.
