Modern work practice makes us spend most of the time “Sitting”, where a chair has become an integral part.
OHSA(Occupational Health & Safety Administration) Studies show us that apart from occupational exposures such as heavy & repetitive lifting, fixed postures, and prolonged seating are also risk factors for MSD (Musculo Skeletal Disorders) (the injuries or disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage, and spinal discs.)
Studies conducted by OHSA (Occupational Health & Safety Administration) have shown that sitting in fixed postures for extended periods is a risk factor for MSD (Musculo Skeletal Disorders), which refers to injuries or disorders of the joints, tendons, muscles, nerves, cartilage, and spinal discs.
Choosing the right chair has become the “need of the hour”, a chair that allows you to maintain proper posture during prolonged seating hours. In due course of time, these chairs become the sentimental antiques of users.
When selecting an office chair or executive chair, it's essential to consider the principles of ergonomics, which is the science that deals with the "fit" between people and work. Here are some factors to keep in mind while choosing the right chair.
SAFETY:
A safe chair must have sturdy material construction, a broad base, greater stiffness/dimensional stability, greater weight-bearing capacity, fatigue resistance, and solvent resistance. These characteristics ensure the chair's safety. In addition, safe chairs must meet the standards/requirements of the governing certification bodies like BIFMA (Business & Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association).
AESTHETICS:
Apart from Safety, aesthetics also plays an important role in selecting a chair. It is all about the appealing colors, shape, overall style/ design, upholstery, etc. Choosing a chair color that suits your theme, and an ideal material for chair parts as they need to operate high static & dynamic loads. In some cases, users might be more interested in the Aesthetic factors rather than the other ergonomic options. Hence the choice of seat & backrest material (like Mesh, Foam, Nylon) is left to the users to decide of their choice.
Comfort and sitting postures are essential for ergonomic chairs. Here are some of the bad postures and their effects while sitting for long hours:
COMFORT:
Comfort and sitting postures are essential for ergonomic chairs. Here are some of the bad postures and their effects while sitting for long hours:
FEW BAD POSTURES EFFECTS
Sitting with unsupported feet dangling in the air Impaired lung function, poor circulation, headache, misaligned spine, back & shoulder pain, and constricted nerves.
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FEW BAD POSTURES |
EFFECTS |
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1.Sitting with unsupported feet dangling in air |
Impaired Lung function, Poor circulation, Headache, Misaligned Spine, Back & Shoulder pain, Constricted Nerves.
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2.Sitting slumped to one side with spine bent |
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3.Perched on the edge of the chair |
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4.Hunched Forward |
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5.Slumped Backward |
The above bad postures can be managed to a certain extent by using ergonomic chairs. Apart from Safety & Aesthetics, ergonomic chairs have wide functionalities that distinguish them from normal chairs. Ergo Features & Their Benefits:
- Chair Height Adjustment- A feature to suit people of different heights consider a chair that is
- Too high - results in dangling of legs in the air causing muscle fatigue, numbness, swelling
- Too low - results in extreme degree of flexion - causing low back pain
- Armrest Adjustment- to avoid shoulder and neck tension, ensure the wrists end up in the neutral position & prevent slouching
- Headrest Adjustment- get better support around the head and neck while reclining.
- Tilt Feature- to relax, relieve the spine, and prevent Hunched back. As a recliner will use gravity to keep shoulder back, neck, and chin upright.
- Tilting Tensioner- The feature talks about the force needed to tilt the chair. It has to be adjusted in such a way that the chair doesn’t topple when the user operates.
- Backrest Adjustment- Support the entire back and maintain the natural curvature of the spine, thereby preventing discomfort and fatigue.
- Lumbar Support- To prevent lower back pain, as this region is the center of body balance, where the whole weight of the body rests.
- Seat Depth Adjustment- maintain proper back support and distribute the weight evenly across the seat cushion, thereby preventing pressure injury
- Large casters- The Bigger the wheel easier it rolls, ideal for uneven surfaces, softer surfaces, and surfaces where debris is present.
It is also important to ensure that the above-mentioned ergonomic options are ease of the user.
CONCLUSION
Although sitting for long hours is inevitable, we can still use ergonomic chairs and prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders to a certain extent. Studies suggest that short breaks at regular intervals (for example: standing or moving for at least 2-3 minutes in between long continuous working hours) can still help in maintaining overall productivity and well-being of health.
