The sit-down job setting earned its credibility and prestige after the Industrial Revolution (News - Alert), and workers no longer had to stand long hours on their feet. So in comparison, working at a computer station is in fact preferable – but between back pain, carpal tunnel and lack of physical activity, the sit-down work setting comes at a slow, decrepitating cost.

Fast-forward to 2013, and consider the hours users spend hunched over on their laptops, holding a cell phone to their ear, texting on a touchscreen key pad or holding a tablet. In the workplace setting especially, these technology-infused gestures and postures have added to a whole new array of pains and discomfort to the once new sit-down job.

Take a look at the image below to understand exactly what this statement implies.

Image via Steelcase

These postures were discovered by Steelcase after they conducted a global posture study in 11 countries, where they observed over 2,000 people and the way in which their bodies interact with technology.

Most of the standard chairs in the work office today do not support the new postures that have recently developed alongside the latest technologies. However, there are new, healthier and ergonomic alternatives on the market that do address these issues, of which most businesses are not yet aware.

The Sit-to-Stand workstation has provided workers with the ability to easily change positions and improve computer-related injuries, while also benefiting overall health, like exercise. Standing vs. sitting has been proven to be more beneficial for a workers’ health, as those who do nothing but stand burn hundreds of calories more than a group of individuals sitting all day.

In an effort to address these bodily issues, Steelcase has designed a chair that reflects of all the technologically enhanced movements they found in the study.  It addressed for main interfaces, including the core, a synchronized system of support that cradles the users back no matter what posture or device; limb, supporting of the arms and shoulders when swiping on a tablet or texting on a smartphone; and seat, which provides a flexible perimeter to support users in a range of postures.

With this system of synchronized movements, Steelcase has demonstrated how far furniture solutions can go when the proper science is applied to its design.

As more attention is being paid to ergonomics, businesses and furniture companies are continuing to advance to discover solutions that decrease the long-term effects of the sit-down lifestyle.

To learn more about the Steelcase chair, click here.