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WHITE PAPER ⎮ FLUIDSTANCE, COMPANY OF MOTION, LLC, SANTA BARBARA, CA


FLUIDSTANCE®: ENHANCING THE STANDING EXPERIENCE

Everyone deserves a better working experience. FluidStance® decks are designed
to do just that—increase movement in order to counteract the negative impacts of
our sedentary lifestyles. Research has demonstrated that FluidStance decks
increase heart rate, range of motion, and energy expenditure without disrupting
normal workday tasks like typing. The decks have received high customer
satisfaction ratings by getting people motivated to stand up and move more,
ultimately making them happier, more comfortable, and more productive.



INTRODUCTION

Recent research has shown that the number of hours we sit each day is negatively
impacting our health, even if we are exercising regularly.1 Sitting is an
inevitable part of life, however; from our time in the car to hours of screen
time each day, we are doing too much sitting and not enough moving around. On
average, we are sedentary for more than 8 hours a day, and this type of
inactivity has been linked to increases in chronic disease, including cancer,
heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.1-3

It’s not hard to convince someone that moving is good for you, but it’s
surprising to find out that too much sitting can be so harmful. Therefore, the
messaging about long term health and fighting chronic disease is shifting. It’s
no longer just about increasing vigorous or moderate-intensity physical
activity; it’s about decreasing the time we sit in order to move more, even if
the movement is subtle.4

Understanding this need to move more was the motivation for a team of designers
and engineers at FluidStance to create the Level®, the Original, and the
Plane®—standing platforms designed to increase movement by eliciting subtle,
constant movement underfoot.


THE PATENTED TECHNOLOGY OF FLUIDSTANCE DECKS ELICITS SUBTLE, CONSTANT MOVEMENT
BELOW YOUR FEET TO INCREASE HEART RATE AND RANGE OF MOTION.




PRODUCT DESIGN

FluidStance wants to help redefine workplace wellness by enhancing the
experience of standing while working. The Level is a convex-shaped board made in
the U.S.A., with a top deck made out of bamboo or maple that has a
GREENGUARD-certified finish, and a base made out of military-grade aluminum. The
convex shape leads to three-dimensional motion when standing on the board, but
differs from standard balance boards. The Level doesn’t make you struggle to
balance or stay upright. Instead, the Level elicits subtle movements. During
product development, exploratory research was conducted to ensure the final
production models promoted a reasonable range of motion—limiting the
dorsiflexion (toes above heels) and plantarflexion (toes below heels) to angles
that are comparable to walking.


RESULTS: INCREASING HEART RATE, RANGE OF MOTION, AND STANDING TIME

LABORATORY RESEARCH: HEELUXE LAB

To study the effect of FluidStance decks on heart rate and range of motion, as
well as on work-related tasks, the Level was tested by the Heeluxe Lab, an
independently owned biomechanics testing facility (Santa Barbara, CA). While the
Level was the only deck tested by the Heeluxe Lab, the functional geometry
remains consistent across all three decks. The study group included 18 men age
18 to 35. All participants were using a standing desk in their workplace. None
of the participants had used the Level or any other FluidStance deck prior to
study participation.

Participants were asked to type for 10 minutes under 2 different conditions,
while standing on the Level and while seated. Each participant was given an
ergonomic assessment to ensure that the locations of the keyboard and monitor
were optimal in the standing and seated position. The assignment of whether the
participant completed the standing or seated portion first was random, and each
participant was given 5 minutes to practice using the Level before testing
began.

During each 10-minute testing interval, the following were recorded:
- Heart beats per minute (BPM) at 8, 9, and 10 minutes using a Polar heart rate
monitor strap
- Words per minute (WPM) typed and number of typing errors
- Range of motion using a motion capture system with a 2-dimensional
light-emitting diode (Aktisys, Simi Systems)

The average heart rate of participants was significantly higher while standing
on the Level (92.4 BPM) versus sitting (80.3 BPM), resulting in an increase in
heart rate of 15%. There was no significant difference in the number of errors
made while typing on the Level (5) versus typing while seated (5.85); however,
there was a decrease in the WPM typed during the standing portion (48.5)
compared to the seated portion (53.9). As none of the participants had used the
Level prior to the study, additional familiarity with the device would likely
impact the WPM results.

Using a motion capture system, movement on the Level was measured and
demonstrated an ankle range of motion (ROM) of 23.98 degrees (±4.65). This range
is similar to the total ankle ROM experienced while walking (21.25 degrees
±5.67).6 The Level resulted in an average dorsiflexion (toes above heels) of
13.67 degrees, which is less than the reported average passive ankle ROM of 18.9
degrees (±5.9).7 These results support the design of the device as promoting
subtle movements that are within a natural range of motion (Figure 1).

FIGURE 1. ANKLE RANGE OF MOTION (ROM) WITH THE LEVEL IS SIMILAR TO WALKING.





RESULTS: INCREASING ENERGY EXPENDITURE

LABORATORY RESEARCH: MAYO CLINIC

The Level was also studied by the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, which found
that the deck, by increasing energy expenditure over sitting by more than 10%,
passed NEAT™ certification criteria for standing. NEAT™ stands for the science
of Non Exercise Activity Thermogenesis, developed by James A. Levine, MD, PhD
and his team at Mayo Clinic. NEAT is the energy expended for everything we do
that is not sleeping, eating or sports-like exercise. It ranges from the energy
expended walking to work, typing, performing yard work, undertaking agricultural
tasks and fidgeting. Even trivial physical activities increase metabolic rate
substantially and it is the cumulative impact of a multitude of exothermic
actions that culminate in an individual's daily NEAT8. Dr. Levine, who coined
the term “sitting is the new smoking,” has spent his career researching the
effects of excessive sedentary time on adults and children. Low NEAT and
sedentariness are major causes of obesity, diabetes, breast cancer, and two
dozen other chronic disease and conditions.

In the study, 30 office workers of varying age and body type were asked to
complete the following protocol:
• Resting Energy Expenditure (REE): 90 minutes
• Sitting: 20 minutes
• Standing: 20 minutes
• FluidStance: 20 minutes
• Walking: (45 minutes total) 15 minutes at 1.6, 3.2, and 4.8 km/hour

Energy expenditure and heart rate were then measured for 20 minutes. Energy
expenditure increased by 19.2% compared to sitting. Essentially, using the Level
yields a higher caloric burn by allowing users more movement throughout the
day. 



RESULTS: HAPPIER, MORE COMFORTABLE, AND MORE PRODUCTIVE EMPLOYEES

USER EXPERIENCE RESEARCH


A 30-question survey to collect user insights on usage and benefits of the
Level, as well as satisfaction with the Level, was developed in collaboration
with Category One, Inc. (Longmont, CO). An online questionnaire link was emailed
to 2,795 customers who had purchased the Level in 2015. There were a total of
464 (17%) respondents. The majority of participants were 35 or older (81%) and
male (67%), and reported working more than 40 hours per week (81%) and making
more than $100,000 annually (76%).

In general, survey participants reported using the Level a few times a day (72%)
and most often at work (73%). For participants who used the Level daily, time on
the Level ranged from under 1 hour to over 9 hours, with the majority of
participants (67%) using the Level for 3 or more hours a day (Figure 2).


72% OF SURVEY PARTICIPANTS USE THE LEVEL A FEW TIMES A DAY.
OF THOSE PARTICIPANTS, 67% USE THE LEVEL 3 OR MORE HOURS A DAY.


FIGURE 2. USE OF THE LEVEL PER DAY.





Use over time remained consistent for the majority (62%) of participants,
whereas 21% of participants reported increased use over time and 17% reported
decreased use over time. Common reasons for increased use included feeling more
comfortable on the Level than when standing alone or sitting, as well as gaining
more stamina for standing on the Level over time. Approximately 4% of
participants reported that use of the Level helped alleviate discomfort or pain
that they had previously felt while standing or sitting. For the participants
that reported decreased use of the Level, the most cited reasons included the
novelty wearing off, forgetting to use it, and the Level not working with their
office layout or standing desk configuration. In addition, approximately 5% of
participants reported that the Level was not comfortable to use due to
discomfort, sore feet, knee pain, or back pain.

A total of 66% of participants reported that the Level increased the amount of
time they stand at work, as well as making them feel happier (83%), more
comfortable (76%), more productive (59%), more focused (51%), and like they have
increased core strength (57%) and better posture (83%) (Figure 3). Of the
participants reporting increased standing time, 91% reported standing more by at
least 1 hour to more than 7 hours (Figure 4).

Overall satisfaction with the Level was very high, with 95% of respondents
satisfied (30%) or very satisfied (65%) with the Level and 92% of respondents
likely to recommend the Level to friends and family. The most cited reasons for
satisfaction included that the Level is fun, helps users to feel more
comfortable standing, and is a conversation starter with coworkers.


OVERALL SATISFACTION WITH THE LEVEL WAS VERY HIGH, WITH 95% OF SURVEY
PARTICIPANTS SATISFIED WITH THE LEVEL.
66% OF SURVEY PARTICIPANTS REPORTED THAT THE LEVEL INCREASED THE AMOUNT OF TIME
THEY STAND AT WORK.


FIGURE 3. REPORTED CUSTOMER BENEFITS
OF THE LEVEL.



FIGURE 4. INCREASED STANDING TIME
WHEN USING THE LEVEL.




SUMMARY

At FluidStance, we want to enhance the standing experience. Our immediate goal
is to introduce a subtle yet playful way to move more. The longer-term goal is
to help people spend more time standing and moving in order to counteract the
negative impacts of sitting too much. Since its introduction in early 2015, the
Level has received high levels of customer satisfaction. The Level won Inc.
Magazine’s 2015 Best in Class Design Award, and was named a finalist in the 2016
Edison Awards competition. Research has demonstrated that the Level increases
heart rate, range of motion, and energy expenditure while allowing the body to
stay within a natural range of movement. In addition, customer feedback
indicates that FluidStance decks help increase the amount of time people stand
at work.

Using standing desks, biking to work, climbing the stairs, and taking walking
meetings are a few ways people can begin to cut back on the time they spend
sitting each day. A FluidStance deck is a great option for those looking to
break free from a sedentary lifestyle by adding more movement to everyday
activities. Customer feedback suggests that building up to standing on the Level
for longer periods takes time. Therefore, for first-time users, our
recommendation at FluidStance is to start with a 70:20:10 lifestyle: continue to
spend 70 percent of your day sitting, take 20 percent of your time to engage in
active desk use—such as standing on a FluidStance deck—and spend the remaining
10 percent of the day participating in high energy activities like biking or
running. A life in motion doesn’t need to be difficult to achieve, and with
FluidStance, we can move more every day.


FLUIDSTANCE DECKS

FluidStance offers three different decks—The Original, the Level®, and the
Plane™. The models differ in materials and manufacturing processes, but do not
differ in functionality. All products are made from eco-conscious materials. In
addition, the FluidStance team is committed to incorporating environmentally
conscious practices throughout our business. To this end, much effort has been
put into ensuring that the majority of manufacturing takes place within 500
miles of the FluidStance headquarters in Santa Barbara, CA. This supports our
local communities and reduces our carbon footprint.


THE ORIGINAL

26.5″ long x 12.2″ wide x 2.5″ tall; weight: 7 lbs., 11 oz.; designed for use up
to 350 pounds.

The Original was our first board to market and is our most premium offering,
differentiated from the rest of our line by its ultra eco-friendly Bamboo top
deck and custom color base in Blue Coal. It features an aluminum base that is
cast only two hours from our headquarters in Santa Barbara, California. We use
an eco-friendly process that captures excess aluminum trimmings and puts them
back into production. The top deck is a solid half-inch of three-ply bamboo that
is protected by a GREENGUARD-certified, water-based finish. T


THE LEVEL®

26.5″ long x 12.2″ wide x 2.5″ tall; weight: 7 lbs., 11 oz.; designed for use up
to 300 pounds.

The Level has a silver base of die-cast aluminum and is produced in California.
As with our Original, all scrap aluminum from the manufacturing process is
recycled back into the supply chain to ensure there is zero waste in the casting
process. The top deck is high-quality multi-ply wood that is protected with a
GREENGUARD-certified, water-based finish that is available in a Natural or
Walnut


THE PLANE CLOUD

24” long x 12” wide x 2.5” tall; weight: 7 lbs., 2 oz.; designed for use up to
250 pounds

The Plane Cloud is the little brother of the category-creating Level. Slightly
more compact, it offers a similar ride in a tighter, eco-friendly package. Fully
recyclable, the base is molded from 100% post-industrial recycled materials,
using high-molecular HDPE, which is one of the strongest plastics available. The
top deck is made of low-emitting foam for comfort and durability. Furthering our
commitment to the environment, the entire product can be recycled, reducing
landfill waste over time. Made in the USA, it’s designed and built in
California.


CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR DECKS AND ACCESSORIES.


REFERENCES

1. Biswas A, Oh PI, Faulkner GE, Bajaj RR, Silver MA, Mitchell MS, Alter DA.
Sedentary time and its association with risk for disease incidence, mortality,
and hospitalization in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Intern
Med. 2015; 162:123-132.

2. Owen N, Sparling PB, Healy GN, Dustan DW, Matthews CE. Sedentary Behavior:
Emerging Evidence for a New Health Risk. Mayo Clin Proc. 2010; 85:1138-1141.

3. Levine, JA. 2015. Sick of Sitting. Diabetologia. 2015; 58:1751–1758.

4. Levine JA, Lanningham-Foster LM, McCrady SK, Krizan AC, Olson LR, Kane PH,
Jensen MD, Clark MM. Interindividual variation in posture allocation: possible
role in human obesity. Science. 2005; 307(5709):584-6.

5. www.greenguard.org: GREENGUARD Certification ensures that a product has met
comprehensive standards for low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

6. Blanke DJ, Hageman PA. Comparison of gait of young men and elderly men. Phys
Ther. 1989; 69:144-148.

7. Fong CM, Blackburn JT, Norcross MF, McGrath M, Padua DA. Ankle-dorsiflexion
range of motion and landing biomechanics. J Athl Train. 2011; 46:5-10.

8. http://www.mayo.edu/research/faculty/levine-james-a-m-d-ph-d/bio-00083408

9. NEAT™-certified is a trademark of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and
Research and used under license.

Have questions, email us at flow@fluidstance.com.

Build To Last

We build our products to last, that’s why we guarantee them for life. Should you
ever have any manufacturing defects, email us and we will repair or replace for
free. It’s that simple.

Our Standing Guarantee

You deserve to be happy with your purchase and you have 30 days to exchange or
return unused products. Full product refunds will be given, less the return
shipping costs.

Carbon Neutral

We are moving towards carbon neutrality (including our shipping impacts) and
working to become carbon negative. Every day we plant ten trees through our
conservation partners.

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