Key Takeaway
Treadmill desks significantly increase energy expenditure and reduce sitting time in adults, with potential benefits for cardiometabolic health markers.
Summary
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the impact of treadmill desks on energy expenditure, sitting time, and cardiometabolic health outcomes in adults. The authors searched multiple databases and included studies comparing treadmill desk use to standard seated desk conditions.
The pooled analysis found that treadmill desks significantly increased energy expenditure compared to seated work, which is expected given the additional physical activity involved in walking while working. Treadmill desk users also showed meaningful reductions in daily sitting time. Some evidence pointed to improvements in cardiometabolic markers such as blood pressure and blood glucose, though these findings were less consistent across studies.
The review highlights that treadmill desks offer a practical strategy for breaking up prolonged sedentary behavior in workplace settings, with measurable physiological benefits that extend beyond simply burning more calories.