Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 15, 2026
08:12
Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control
Published on: September 11, 2019
10.2K
Does a prototype 'Experimental' chair facilitate more postural changes in computing adolescents compared to a normal
Sjan-Mari van Niekerk1, Quinette Abegail Louw1, Karen Grimmer1,2
1FNB Movement Analysis Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Physiotherapy Division, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
Work (Reading, Mass.)
|September 10, 2016
Summary
A new experimental school chair encourages more frequent postural changes in adolescents compared to traditional chairs. This could help reduce spinal pain associated with prolonged sitting during computer use.
Area of Science:
- Ergonomics
- Biomechanical Engineering
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Prolonged sitting, common in adolescent computer use, is linked to spinal pain.
- Current school chairs lack features to support dynamic posture changes.
- A need exists for chairs designed for adolescent body dimensions and postural variability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an innovative experimental school chair.
- To assess if the chair promotes regular, small-range movements in students.
- To compare postural changes between the experimental and standard school chairs during computer work.
Main Methods:
- A development and validation study involving 12 high school students.
- Random selection from a conveniently chosen school.
- 3D posture measurements for 15 minutes in both chair types.
- Analysis focused on the frequency of postural movement.
Main Results:
- Data from 11 students were analyzed.
- Statistically significant increases in postural changes observed with the experimental chair.
- Significant increases noted in pelvic side-flexion and pelvic rotation (p=0.01).
Conclusions:
- The experimental chair facilitated greater postural movement than the standard school chair.
- Further research is recommended to evaluate the impact of increased pelvic movement on musculoskeletal symptoms in adolescents.
- Future studies should focus on the Cape Metropole area.
