Research Design Connections: Standing and Thinking
Bhat and associates evaluated the effects of standing on cognitive performance. They report that “The present study investigated the effects of attending lectures in sitting and standing postures on executive function of young adults. . . . Attending a lecture in a standing posture was found to improve executive function (response inhibition) measured with reaction times (for incongruent stimuli) and ERPs [event related potentials]. Standing might improve executive function compared to sitting among young adults in a simulated lecture environment.” Mayur Bhat, Keshab Dehury, Baskaran Chandrasekaran, Hari Palanisamy, and Ashokan Arumugam. 2022. “Does Standing Alter Reaction Times and Event Related Potentials Compared to Sitting in Young Adults? A Counterbalanced, Crossover Trial.” Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science, vol. 23, no. 6, pp. 663-686, https://doi.org/10.1080/1463922X.2022.2033877 Sally Augustin, PhD, a cognitive scientist, is the editor of Research Design Connections (www.researchdesignconnections.com), a monthly subscription newsletter and free daily blog, where recent and classic research …