Furniture dimensions and postural overload for schoolchildren's head, upper back and upper limbs.
The aim of this study was to evaluate how the fixed furniture dimensions match with students' anthropometry and to describe head, upper back and upper limbs postures and movements. Evaluation was performed in 48 students from a Brazilian state school. Furniture dimensions were measured with metric tape, movements and postures by inclinometers (Logger Tecknologi, Åkarp, Sweden). Seat height was high for 21% and low for 36% of the students; seat length was short for 45% and long for 9% and table height was high for 53% and low for 28%. Regression analysis showed that seat/popliteal height quotient is explained by 90th percentile of upper back inclination (β=0.410) and 90th percentile of right upper arm elevation (β=-0.293). For seat/thigh length quotient the significant variables were 90th percentile of upper back velocity (β=-0.282) and 90th percentile of right upper arm elevation (β=0.410). This study showed a relationship between furniture mismatch and postural overload. When the seat height is low students increase upper back left inclination and right upper arm elevation; when the seat is short students decrease the upper back flexion velocity and increase right upper arm elevation.
Deparment of Physiotherapy, Federal University of São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luís, km 235 - SP-310 CEP: 13565-905, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
Mariana Vieira
MV
Batistão
Anna Cláudia
AC
Sentanin
Cristiane Shinohara
CS
Moriguchi
Gert-Åke
GÅ
Hansson
Helenice Jane Cote Gil
HJ
Coury
Tatiana
T
de Oliveira Sato
D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D001415:Back / Q000502:physiology; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D011187:Posture; D012574:Schools; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology; D014741:Video Recording