A comparison of four office chairs using biomechanical measures.
OBJECTIVE
The authors sought to use biomechanical measures, including motion and pressure, to compare four office chairs.


BACKGROUND
The fit of a person to a chair is related to the geometric and kinematic compatibility between the two. This geometric compatibility influences the motions that are allowed or prohibited and the support pressures at the body-chair interface. Thus, during evaluation, it is necessary to treat the chair and user as a system.


METHODS
Four dynamic test conditions were evaluated with 14 participants of varying anthropometries. Test conditions were selected to compare the ability to accommodate primary and secondary motions (recline and spinal articulation) of seated occupants. The ability of a chair to allow recline, yet maintain head and hand positions, was compared across chairs. Also, the ability of each chair to allow and support spinal articulation was evaluated. Motion data for the chair, head, thorax, pelvis, and extremities were collected along with chair back pressures. Upon completion of testing, subjective assessments were also conducted.


RESULTS
Statistically significant differences were found between chairs relative to head and hand motions. Also, significant differences were noted for the chairs' ability to move with the body during spinal articulation and the ability to provide support. Subjective assessments also yielded differences.


CONCLUSIONS
Biomechanical analyses using motions and pressures can be conducted on office chairs with significant differences detected in their performance.


CONCLUSIONS
Biomechanical assessments can be used to compare and contrast office chairs in terms that are relatable to fatigue reduction as well as operator performance.
Bush
Tamara Reid
TR
Biomechanical Design Research Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. reidtama@msu.edu
Hubbard
Robert P
RP