The study was led by Dr Esther Sternberg of the University of Arizona’s Institute on Place, Wellbeing and Performance. “This research highlights how office design, driven by office workstation type, could be an important health promoting factor,” she said.

This doesn’t necessarily prove once and for all that open-plan offices are better than those with cubicles or private workspaces. Previous research has shown that open-plan spaces are much more distracting than private offices – something that can lead to increased environmental stress, and reduce workers’ ability to collaborate.

Another study published earlier this year found that open-plan offices are associated with lower productivity and employees’ job satisfaction.

Regardless of the kind of office you work in, it’s clear that it’s important to keep active during the day for your own health and happiness. For three simple ways to combat the health risks of sitting at a desk all day, click here.

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How the layout of your office could be affecting your health