A method for postural critical factors checking: The case of library chairs

Area of Science:

• Ergonomics
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Maintaining a natural back-curve is crucial for preventing musculoskeletal disorders.
• University students frequently report neck and lumbar pain after study sessions.
• Library seating may contribute to discomfort and affect learning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze sitting posture comfort on library chairs.
• To identify critical factors influencing postural comfort and learning.
• To evaluate the impact of prolonged sitting on student well-being.

Main Methods:

• Simulated prolonged sitting (1-hour tests) with 15 student volunteers.
• Collected subjective comfort ratings (5-point scale) and objective postural angles.
• Utilized photographic acquisition, Kinovea®, and CaMAN software for data analysis.

Main Results:

• The lumbar area exhibited the lowest perceived comfort.
• Perceived comfort decreased over time, independent of participants and specific tasks.
• Objective and subjective data revealed significant postural discomfort.

Conclusions:

• Prolonged sitting in study chairs negatively impacts comfort, especially in the lumbar region.
• Chair design is a critical factor influencing student comfort and potentially learning.
• Recommendations for future chair re-design were proposed based on comfort analysis.