Are the desks and chairs at school appropriate?

Saarni, Lea; Nygård, Clas‐Håkan; Kaukiainen, Anneli; Rimpelä, Arja

doi:10.1080/00140130701587368

Cited by 60 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…To minimize the effect of this, the majority of the studies reviewed (27 out of 43, the same three studies were excluded) considered the measurement of the participants when seated and/or on the standard standing posture. However, 14 studies did not mention the posture adopted and two of them [82,83] considered different postures, which was recognized by the same authors as making measurements in this way may slightly over-or under-estimate 'standardized posture' measurements. Furthermore, the same authors evaluate popliteal height with participants using shoes.…”

Section: Procedures For Anthropometric Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A literature review of anthropometric studies of school students for ergonomics purposes: Are accuracy, precision and reliability being considered?

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BACKGROUND: Despite offering many benefits, direct manual anthropometric measurement method can be problematic due to their vulnerability to measurement errors. OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this literature review was to determine, whether or not the currently published anthropometric studies of school children, related to ergonomics, mentioned or evaluated the variables precision, reliability and/or accuracy in the direct manual measurement method. METHODS:Two bibliographic databases, and the bibliographic references of all the selected papers were used for finding relevant published papers in the fields considered in this study. RESULTS:Forty-six (46) studies met the criteria previously defined for this literature review. However, only ten (10) studies mentioned at least one of the analyzed variables, and none has evaluated all of them. Only reliability was assessed by three papers. Moreover, in what regards the factors that affect precision, reliability and accuracy, the reviewed papers presented large differences. This was particularly clear in the instruments used for the measurements, which were not consistent throughout the studies. Additionally, it was also clear that there was a lack of information regarding the evaluators' training and procedures for anthropometric data collection, which are assumed to be the most important issues that affect precision, reliability and accuracy. CONCLUSIONS:Based on the results it was possible to conclude that the considered anthropometric studies had not focused their attention to the analysis of precision, reliability and accuracy of the manual measurement methods. Hence, and with the aim of avoiding measurement errors and misleading data, anthropometric studies should put more efforts and care on testing measurement error and defining the procedures used to collect anthropometric data.Keywords: anthropometry, measurements, repeatability. INTRODUCTIONAnthropometry is the branch of the human sciences that deals with body measurements: measurements of size, shape, strength and working capacity [1]. The anthropometric data are essential for applying ergonomic principles for the design and improvement of a wide range of products for different users [2][3][4]. In school environments, anthropometry has become an important discipline, as it can be used to provide relevant students' anthropometric characteristics, which in turn can be used to provide critical information for school furniture design [5,6]. When the correct anthropometric data and sample population are not consider, a mismatch between anthropometric dimensions and school furniture may occur, which could ultimately result in the development of musculoskeletal disorders within the students and other problems related to the learning process [7][8][9]. Additionally, if school furniture is not locally designed, importers should ensure that the appropriate anthropometric data were considered, so that imported school furniture fits the intended use and users [10]. On the other hand, when employed correctly, anthr...

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Section: Procedures For Anthropometric Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A literature review of anthropometric studies of school students for ergonomics purposes: Are accuracy, precision and reliability being considered?

Bravo

Bragança

Arezes

et al. 2018

WOR

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“…In 1981, Mandal recommended a position with a 135°-trunk-thighs angle in order to favour the physiological lumbar lordosis (Mandal, 1981). Since then, it is recommended that furniture be adapted by raising the seat and inclining it forward in order to reach this reference angle (Bejia et al, 2005;Saarni et al, 2007aSaarni et al, , 2007b. However, this recommendation does not take into account the fact that dynamism is also essential in SP.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relevance of adding a triangular dynamic cushion on a traditional chair: A 3D-analysis of seated schoolchildren

Fettweis

Onkelinx

Schwartz

et al. 2017

Clinical Biomechanics

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“…The students use furniture like chairs and desks not suitable for human body size in many cases (Castellucci et al, 2010;Saarni et al, 2007;Savanur et al, 2007). Also, the use of the unstable furniture negatively affects the students, and makes them take no good postures (Geldhof et al, 2007;Koskelo et al, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Integral Seat Desk used in Universities based on KS/ISO Standard and Questionnaire Survey

Kee¹

2014

Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea

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Objectiv e: The purpose of this study is to evaluate integral seat desk used in universities through comparison of real dimension values of the desk with KS/ISO standard and questionnaire survey.Background: School furniture that helps students sit comfortably for longer periods of time and allows for better concentration on learning is important. However, seat and desk have been generally designed based on the industry practice rather than user's anthropometry, and seats and desks used in universities of Korea have not been ergonomically evaluated.Method: Real 13 dimensions of the desk used in K University were measured using tape measure and inclinometer, and the dimension values were compared to the KS standard of desk and chair for lecture room (KS G 4210) and ergonomic design principles found in relevant references. Subjective appropriacies and preference for the desk were investigated based on questionnaire survey, in which 121 (male: 91, female: 30) college students participated.Results: Several dimensions for the desk and chair investigated except desk depth and width, leg room width, seat width have not met the KS standard, but all dimensions satisfied ergonomic design principles available in references. The questionnaire survey revealed that appropriacies for desk surface size, seat pan depth, seat pan cushion and backrest curvature were under middle point of 3.0, and that those for the other dimensions showed higher scores exceeding 3.0. Conclusion:The integral seat desk widely used in universities showed some design problems in terms of standards of KS G 2010 and KS G 4210, and ergonomic design principles. Compared to the general desk with separated desk and seat, subjective preference on the integral seat desk was low.Application: This would be used as a valuable guideline when designing or choosing new integral seat desk with high satisfaction of students.

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Are the desks and chairs at school appropriate?

Cited by 60 publications

References 28 publications

A literature review of anthropometric studies of school students for ergonomics purposes: Are accuracy, precision and reliability being considered?

A literature review of anthropometric studies of school students for ergonomics purposes: Are accuracy, precision and reliability being considered?

Relevance of adding a triangular dynamic cushion on a traditional chair: A 3D-analysis of seated schoolchildren

Evaluation of Integral Seat Desk used in Universities based on KS/ISO Standard and Questionnaire Survey

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