Cardiff University | Prifysgol Caerdydd ORCA
Online Research @ Cardiff 
WelshClear Cookie - decide language by browser settings

A pilot investigation into the effects of different office chairs on spinal angles

Annetts, Susan, Coales, Philippa J., Colville, Robyn, Mistry, Darshika, Moles, Kirsty, Thomas, Bethan and Van Deursen, Robert William Martin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9461-0111 2012. A pilot investigation into the effects of different office chairs on spinal angles. European Spine Journal 21 (S2) , pp. 165-170. 10.1007/s00586-012-2189-z

[thumbnail of seating publication ORCA version June 2012.pdf]
Preview
Text - Accepted Post-Print Version
Download (312kB) | Preview

Abstract

Purpose To investigate the effects of four office chairs on the postural angles of the lumbopelvic and cervical regions. Research question Which chair(s) produce an “ideal” spinal posture? Methods An experimental same subject design was used involving healthy subjects (n = 14) who conducted a typing task whilst sitting on four different office chairs; two “dynamic” chairs (Vari-Kneeler and Swopper), and two static chairs (Saddle and Standard Office with back removed). Data collection was via digital photogrammetry, measuring pelvic and lumbar angles, neck angle and head tilt which were then analysed within MatLab. A repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni corrections for multiple comparisons was conducted. Results Statistically significant differences were identified for posterior pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis between the Vari-Kneeler and Swopper chairs (p = 0.006, p = 0.001) and the Vari-Kneeler and Standard Office chairs (p = 0.000, 0.000); and also for neck angle and head tilt between the Vari-Kneeler and Swopper chairs (p = 0.000, p = 0.000), the Vari-Kneeler and Saddle chairs (p = 0.002, p = 0.001), the Standard Office and Swopper chairs (p = 0.000, p = 0.000), and the Standard Office and Saddle chairs (p = 0.005, p = 0.001). This study confirms a within region association between posterior pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis, and between neck angle and head tilt. It was noted that an ideal lumbopelvic position does not always result in a corresponding ideal cervical position resulting in a spinal alignment mismatch. Conclusion In this study, the most appropriate posture for the lumbopelvic region was produced by the Saddle chair and for the cervical region by both the Saddle and Swopper chairs. No chair consistently produced an ideal posture across all regions, although the Saddle chair created the best posture of those chairs studied. Chair selection should be based on individual need.

Item Type: Article
Date Type: Publication
Status: Published
Schools: Healthcare Sciences
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Uncontrolled Keywords: Office seating – Spinal angles – Posture – Photogrammetry
Publisher: Springer
ISSN: 0940-6719
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 30 March 2016
Last Modified: 23 May 2023 18:02
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/17575

Citation Data

Cited 16 times in Scopus. View in Scopus. Powered By Scopus® Data

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item Edit Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics