Comparison of cervical muscle activity and spinal curvatures in the sitting position with 3 different sloping seats

Lumbar and pelvic alignment may have a huge impact on the posture of the spine and other parts. The aim of this study were to compare the spinal curvature of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine and the muscle activity of the cervical erector spinae muscle, upper trapezius muscle, and thoracic erector spinae muscle when sitting at 3 different sloped, seating surfaces. A 10° wedge was used as the seating surface and we compared a forward sloping seat surface, a flat seating surface, and a rear sloping seat surface, in that order. Twenty healthy officers were recruited for this study. The subjects sat on the seat of 3 different slopes and watched a total of 3 videos, 10 minutes each. The rest time was 10 minutes. Subjects were photographed while viewing videos and muscle activity was measured. There were significant differences in cervical, thoracic, lumbar curvatures, and muscle activity in the 3 different sitting positions according to seat tilt (P < .05). Among the 3 slopes, the forward slope decreased forward head posture and cervical erector spinae muscle activity (P < .05). The activity of the cervical erector spinae muscle was 2.67% with a forward sloping seat, 5.45% with a flat sloping seat, and 6.77% with a rear sloping seat, revealing a significant difference (P < .05). This suggests that a forward sloping seat surface was effective in maintaining a neutral alignment of the spine, and this decreased the cervical spine erector muscle activity. Based on this result, equipment and chair development to incline seats forward may improve posture and health, and prevent chronic pain.