Walking workstations that put an employee's computer and a treadmill together can improve both physical and mental health during a typical workday, a new study indicates.

That's the finding of research by students and faculty in the psychology department of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

"We found that the walking workstations, regardless of a person's exercise habits or body mass index (BMI), had significant benefits," says psychology professor and study co-author Michael Sliter. "Even if you don't exercise or if you are overweight, you'll experience both short-term physical and psychological benefits."

In the study, the researchers evaluated 180 participants on their level of boredom, satisfactions, engagement and performance on four randomly assigned workstations that had the participants either sitting, standing, walking or cycling.

Those using the walking workstation reported higher task satisfaction and reduced stress and boredom that participants assigned to the sitting or standing workstations.

However, those using the cycling workstation had reduced satisfaction and performance, suggesting not all exercise-equipped workstation can deliver the same positive results, the researchers notes.

Sliter says he plans to continue his research, with particular focus on the more long-term physical and psychological benefits of such exercise-based workstation.

The current study has been published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology.