OFFICE PRODUCTS and SERVICES: 12/11/11

Thursday, December 15, 2011

More movement at desks pays off

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Three-dimensionally flexible office swivel chairs give bodies the freedom to sit the way they want and can. Photo: office chair ON, Wilkhahn

A scientific study proves that varied dynamic seating does not just prevent back pain, but can also significantly increase performance

Millions of office workers share the same problem: they do not move about enough. And that is no surprise. After all, physical activity at desks is usually confined to using the keyboard or mouse. However, the lack of physical activity does have devastating effects: it leads to metabolic dysfunction, atrophy of the muscles and frequently back pain. A solution is provided by office chairs that also activate the natural range of movement bodies are capable of. The Centre for Health at German Sport University Cologne has looked at the three-dimensional seating concept in more detail. It was appointed by office chair manufacturer Wilkhahn to carry out a comparative field study. The study verifies that the varied flexibility was actually used and thus did not just considerably enhance the feeling of well-being, but also performance.

Bad Münder. Healthcare professionals and ergonomists now all agree: movement is the only effective way of combating back pain, the number one complaint. That is the theory anyway. In the real world the hunched position in front of the screen is still one of the most common postures while working. Therefore, an important antidote to the detrimental effect of sitting still is also keeping bodies active while at desks - where movement is lacking. German office furniture manufacturer Wilkhahn developed Trimension®, an innovative seating concept based on these findings. These are three-dimensional seating mechanics that follow the positions and functions of the knee and hip joints. Because the flexibility of the hip as the body's motion and power centre is key to stimulating the spine, the shoulder joints, back and neck muscles, but also to the knee joints and leg muscles. It is not just about forwards, backwards and sideways movements, but a combination of all three as a rotation. These seating mechanics have been used in ON® for the first time. An initial study by the Centre for Health looked into the specific motion options of the office chair and confirmed its positive impact on the body (2009). The results of a second study are now also available that dealt with a question that is relevant in business terms:

Does more motion also mean office workers perform better?

The comparative field study was carried out over 12 weeks in an office complex belonging to the German healthcare insurance company AOK in Cologne. Some 80 people, aged between 23 and 59, were randomly divided up into a trial and a control group of 40 each. The people taking part continued to carry out the same, familiar activities in both groups. The only difference: a week after the study started the trial group went about their daily office work on ON office chairs, while the control group still used their previous office chairs. Standard scientific tests were used to identify intellectual performance, concentration skills and the subjective feeling of well-being. At 3 p.m. (give or take an hour) the body is usually at its lowest ebb and this was the time chosen to take measurements.

The results of the trial are clear. Compared with the control group, the ON group's concentration improved considerably in all disciplines measured. After three months, concentration spans (how quickly the right result was achieved) increased from the expected under-average index value of 22 to a normal value of 50 when the body was at its lowest ebb. Concentration accuracy (how often was the right result achieved) even improved from 55 to the above-average figure of 87. Concentration consistency (how well was performance kept up during the trial) showed that these performance and accuracy increases were also consistently maintained at an index value of 74 (previously 38). How healthy the people taking part felt also tallied with the objective measurement criteria: 58 per cent admit that their feeling of well-being has improved thanks to the chair. Whereas the control group stayed on a level ranging from lower than average to average.

In other words: dynamic seating pays for itself.
The results of previous research on the links between physical activity, a subjective feeling of well-being and objective performance have also been confirmed for office work by this field study. It is the frequent and varied movement that Trimension permits, occurring when the most minute shifts of weight occur that a particularly stimulating, health- and performance-promoting effect is produced. In all three areas of measurement, the ON users' concentration performance had developed very positively. However, the control group with its conventional office chairs showed no relevant changes.

"A living organism is based on the principle of stimuli and response", explains Prof. Ingo Froböse, head of the Centre for Health. "Which is why a variety of stimuli need to be provided during office work. ON's Trimension is huge progress towards dynamic seating and an important component in a workplace concept that is as integrated as possible and that activates both body and mind" adds Froböse. In other words, an office chair that encourages varied and frequent movement while people are sitting down is good for the body and pays off. And the effect is multiplied if other opportunities for physical activity in the office are used.

Tips for more physical activity in the office:

The office chair's backrest should not permanently be engaged, but adjusted so that the tiniest of weight shifts are sufficient to stimulate movement. The more varied and natural the movement the chair is capable of the better.
At least some materials and equipment should be positioned out of reach so that getting up occasionally is a must. A good idea is for example switching from a desk to a lectern to read from.
The shortest route in the building is not the best one, but the longest. This allows exercise to be taken and social skills enhanced if people stop by and say hello to other departments on the way.
Climbing the stairs instead of taking the lift puts the muscles and circulation to work.
Meeting rooms should be equipped like a workshop, where attendees implement the layout themselves - for example with stackable chairs and mobile folding tables. This makes meetings more efficient and healthier.
Whether at desks or in meetings: getting up, stretching and taking a few steps sometimes works miracles - and might even produce a few fresh new ideas.
You can download detailed information on the study by the Centre for Health here.

For more information contact:

Wilkhahn
Wilkening + Hahne GmbH+Co.KG
International Communications
Fritz-Hahne-Strasse 8
31848 Bad Münder
Germany
Tel. +49 5042 999 169
Fax +49 5042 999 130
Mobile +49 172 544 9975
press-service@wilkhahn.de

mai public relations GmbH
Matthias Mai
Dessauer Strasse 6
10963 Berlin
Germany
Tel. +49 30 8411 4808
Mobile +49 163 325 0099
wilkhahn@maipr.com

Joint Venture for Network Rail and The Office Group

Published: 12/15/2011

by The Office Group

Photos

Joint Venture for Network Rail and The Office Group

Serviced office provider The Office Group has agreed a joint venture with Network Rail to create a number of flexible workspaces at a variety of its major stations.

The £40m deal will see the first flexible office opening at Paddington station accommodate up to 250 people. The space will provide both shared and private offices, stylish meeting rooms and superfast broadband. Furthermore, reception facilities will offer mail and telephone services.

Tapping into the growing mobile workforce, the addition of another 4 London locations opening in mid-2012 are expected to take advantage of the increased commuter levels throughout the Olympic Games. Co CEO of The Office Group, Charlie Green said: “Every year the trend for mobile working is increasing. To meet this demand, we have teamed up with an organisation that sees a huge throughput of mobile workers across its rail terminals. With excellent transport links, the offices will also be the perfect venue for larger corporations who may be experiencing an overflow of staff and need space to accommodate key employees.

Network Rail are looking to capitalise on the potential revenue the stations offer with profits from their commercial ventures being re-invested into the railway services. David Biggs, Network Rail’s Director of Property, said “The network of drop-in office space created through this innovative joint venture will provide a new and convenient service at stations. Passengers are already able to eat, drink and shop at our stations, so it was only logical that we offered them the opportunity to work here, too.”

Clients who sign up to use the offices within the station will also have the opportunity to take advantage of The Office Group’s other serviced office locations.

Last year The Office Group’s Lloyds Avenue centre won officebroker.com’s prestigious 2010 Business Centre of the Year award. Managing Director at officebroker.com, Jim Venables described the centre as “worthy winners” saying “this is a really impressive and professional centre with a fantastic team that provides a superb environment for business, with an excellent support network.”

Bristol office cleaners GoGo Cleaning recommend Christmas spring clean

Go Go Cleaning recommend a Christmas spring clean for offices

A Bristol office cleaning company is recommending that firms take the opportunity of the festive break for a thorough ‘spring clean’ of their working environment.

GoGo Cleaners are located in Redland, and have 15 years experience of sending in teams when an office is closed to deep clean offices in Bristol and get to areas that are not normally cleaned on a day to day basis.

According to company founder Kate Marshall, Christmas is the perfect time for office cleaning in Bristol. She said, ‘We get very busy at this time of year, as the absence of staff means that companies can use the break to really prepare the work environment for a fresh New Year.”

According to Kate, the most popular specialist cleaning requirements companies Bristol office cleaners are asked to do during this time include:

Carpet shampooing – this type of cleaning should be done at least once a year. During the year there is a build up of dirt, coffee and food stains that can make carpets look dirty and unclean, especially in heavy traffic areas. Shampooing carpets and rugs while staff are out of the office means the cleaners can access difficult areas and move items like office furniture and chairs, clean underneath and replace items. The carpets and rugs can be treated to remove any stains and deodorized to freshen up. The carpets also get a chance to fully dry before staff return to work in the New Year.

Stripping and re-sealing floors – Hard floors can get worn very quickly especially in heavy traffic areas, kitchen and bathrooms. A good Bristol office cleaners will strip any old seals, machine wash the floor and re-seal. The type of cleaning takes time as you have to wait to re-seal the floors in between applications, so this is an ideal time to get this job done as the cleaners won’t get interrupted with people walking on an unsealed or newly sealed floor. Once the floor is newly sealed its easier for the day to day cleaning to keep the area maintained and looking clean.

High dusting – Throughout the year a build of dust from external elements and internal activities can build up in ceiling coving, ceiling beams, corners of ceilings, exposed pipe work, exposed ducting, tops of door frames, picture rails, exposed roof areas and the like making high level areas look unclean and dusty. Cleaners should work off podium steps and scaffolds to access the areas safely to carry out this type of clean. All furniture and office equipment should be covered in dust sheets during the cleaning process. Due to access the cleaning can only be carried out outside working hours, so this is a perfect time to clean these areas.

For more information on office cleaning in Bristol, contact GoGo Cleaners on 0117 9441207.

Click here for GoGo Cleaners

A new business centre is taking shape in Swindon

A new business centre is taking shape in Swindon, and is on schedule to open early in 2012.

Nexus Business Centre, which is being created from extensive offices previously occupied by Zarlink on Cheney Manor estate, will appeal to a range of companies.

It aims to appeal to new entrepreneurs looking for modern flexible offices and larger companies wanting to take advantage of its generous semi-serviced lease accommodation.

As well as offering easy-in, easy-out terms to small and large companies Nexus will also include a range of support services to make working and doing business there as flexible, economic, simple and comfortable as possible.

The concept of Nexus Business Centre was devised by commercial property expert Peter Triggs and business centre operations director Maria Basson.

Joining them in this venture is director Anthony Spender, who brings with him a number of years’ City experience.

“The concept of Nexus is to provide everything that the client and their colleagues and visitors could need in the space of a working day and beyond,” said Maria.

For example, as well as offering keenly priced furnished and unfurnished offices to meet all needs, we’ll also have a café with professional catering, a business hub offering hot desking, high speed wi-fi internet access, private meeting rooms, a dry-cleaning collection service and a shop with a news stand.

“And we are looking at eventually having a day nursery and a gym.”

The fully-serviced offer at Nexus will include 14 equipped serviced offices suitable for admin, training and light desktop production requirements and office space ranging from 140 ftsq single rooms to entire floors of 8,000 ftsq , configured to individual specifications.

There is plenty of on-site parking, meeting rooms and kitchen areas on each floor and 24/7 secure card access.

Monthly fees are extremely competitive, and include maintenance, cleaning and car parking.

The semi-serviced wing includes individual open plan floors or sections of floor from 1800 ftsq to 3750 ftsq, gas central heating, perimeter trunking, suspended ceilings with recessed lighting, excellent natural light and carpeting.

The first phase of Nexus Business Centre is due to open in January 2012.

Location

Nexus Business Centre is located on the established and popular Cheney Manor Estate, approximately 4 miles from Junction 16 of the M4 and to the North West of Swindon Town Centre. Access to the Estate is via Rodbourne Road leading off Great Western Way. It is one of three main north/south routes through the area and joins all major arterial routes into and around the town.

For more details contact

mariabasson@nexusswindon.co.uk or Jeremysutton@keningtons.com or telephone 01793 691961

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